Readmissions are defined as a patient being admitted to any hospital and for any reason within 30 days of discharge from their hospital. Hospital readmissions for re-occurring problems has been a failure in the healthcare system. Readmissions are often costly and finding the likelihood and the factors driving them can be greatly beneficial for both the public and the healthcare industry.

The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) supports the national goal of improving healthcare for Americans. It is a Medicare program that penalizes hospitals with excessive readmissions. The payment reduction can be as high as 3% for healthcare institutions with high-readmission rates.

Readmission after pulmonary lobectomy is a frequent challenge for hospitals, healthcare plans and insurance providers.