Kane, R. L., Q. Chen, L. A. Blewett, R. Burns and M. Moscowitz. “Functional Outcomes of Post-Hospital Care for stroke and Hip Fracture Patients under Medicare.” Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 46(12) December 1998: 1525-1533.

Researchers conducted a study to analyze the outcomes of different types of posthospital care for a number of Medicare patients for up to a year after hospital discharge. Researchers enrolled patients hospitalized with strokes and hip fracture from 52 hospitals before their discharge. They were interviewed at the hospital, after 6 weeks, after 6 months, and after 1 year. Although more disabled patients were taken to nursing homes, stroke patients at the nursing homes had the highest mortality rate. Patients discharged to home health had the lowest rehospitalization rates, which shows that the choice of posthospital care can influence the health of the patient.