All-Cause Admissions and Readmissions Final Report - Spring 2021 Cycle 

Avoidable returns to the hospital, including visits to the emergency department (ED), are costly, common, and continue to be an important focus for healthcare quality improvement. The causes of avoidable admissions and readmissions are complex and multifactorial. During the spring 2021 measure evaluation cycle, the All-Cause Admissions and Readmissions Standing Committee evaluated four measures undergoing maintenance endorsement review against NQF’s standard evaluation criteria. The reviewed measures focused on unplanned readmission following psychiatric hospitalization in inpatient psychiatric facilities, excess day in acute care (EDAC) after hospitalization for heart failure (HF), excess day in acute care (EDAC) after hospitalization for pneumonia, and risk-standardized acute cardiovascular-related hospital admission rates for patients with heart failure under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System. The Standing Committee recommended all four measures for endorsement and the Consensus Standards Approval Committee (CSAC) upheld the Standing Committee’s recommendation to endorse all four measures.