Objectives To describe patterns of hospital readmission for asthma in South Australia from 1989 to 1996, in relation to implementation of the National Asthma Campaign. Design and setting A comparison of hospital admissions in South Australia of patients aged between one year and 49 years for three conditions: asthma (or respiratory failure with asthma as an underlying condition) and two control conditions — diabetes and epilepsy. Individuals were identified by Medicare number and date of birth. Outcome measures Hospital readmission within 28 days and within one year. Results Overall, by 1996, there was a statistically significant decline in the risk of readmission for asthma within 28 days of 18% and within one year of 17% compared with 1989 readmission rates. There were no reductions in the risk of readmission for diabetes or epilepsy, suggesting that the decline in risk of readmission for asthma was greater than the underlying effects of general changes in hospital casemix. Conclusions The decline in risk of readmission may reflect changes in asthma severity or improved management practices. However, hospital readmission rates still remain high, and to further reduce readmissions for asthma there is a need to identify factors related to presentation for asthma at accident and emergency departments.

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