Abstract
Previous studies have shown that referral networks encompass important mechanisms of coordination
and integration among hospitals, which enhance numerous organizational-level benefits, such as productivity,
efficiency, and quality of care. The present study advances previous research by demonstrating
how hospital referral networks influence patient readmissions. Data include 360,697 hospitalization
events within a regional community of hospitals in the Italian National Health Service. Multilevel hierarchical
regression analysis tests the impacts of referral networks' structural characteristics on patient
hospital readmissions. The results demonstrate that organizational centrality in the overall referral
network and ego-network density have opposing effects on the likelihood of readmission events within
hospitals; greater centrality is negatively associated with readmissions, whereas greater ego-network
density increases the likelihood of readmission events. Our findings support the (re)organization of
healthcare systems and provide important indications for policymakers and practitioners.
Lingua originale | English |
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pagine (da-a) | 113-121 |
Numero di pagine | 9 |
Rivista | SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE |
Volume | 132 |
DOI | |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2015 |
Pubblicato esternamente | Sì |
Keywords
- evidence-based medicine
- social capital
- social network analysis