Conclusions
Despite very different organizational structures and processes within the two hospitals, we found similar patient populations, risk factors, and outcomes. The linkages we found in these different health care facilities between readmissions and health system barriers to smooth and safe transitional care confirm findings in other studies. Patient and organizational factors were found to have contributed to unscheduled readmissions. Targeting high-risk patients, improving communications—including considerations of language and cultural differences—and better coordination of care and followup when transitioning patients from the hospital to the home could potentially prevent some readmissions.