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Staples said there’s no science-based answer as to why men are more likely than women to be readmitted. “But I could take a few guesses. Men are less likely to adhere to their recommended treatment and they seem to be more cavalier about health conditions like COPD.”

Physicians do their best to “set patients up for success” upon hospital discharge, but returning to hospital is more likely when patients have complex medical issues. Staples said that to minimize the risk of being readmitted, patients and their family members should ensure they’re handed a discharge report summarizing the diagnosis, treatment and further recommendations for followup care. If it’s not ready upon discharge, patients should go back and get it when it’s ready. They should also see their primary care provider after discharge and have a plan for home care or other required community services, said Staples, who works at both St. Paul’s Hospital and Vancouver General.

Staples said patients should also keep on hand their discharge summary from their last hospitalization and a list of medications so that if they return to the hospital, especially if it’s a different one, they can share that information with the next medical team.

The B.C. Medical Journal report shows that many of the hospitals with higher readmissions are small and in rural or remote areas; in Bella Coola, it is 16 per cent and in McBride it is 18 per cent. There are exceptions, such as Port McNeill, that has an impressively low readmission rate — just four per cent. Staples said small hospitals face unique challenges, like few medical specialists.