This integrative review analyzes research on the relationship of Home Health Care (HHC) to readmissions, specifically, identifying moderating and mediating factors and measurement constraints influencing effectiveness evaluations of HHC in reducing readmissions. HHC patients' readmission rates are higher than patients not receiving home health services but measurement of effectiveness is confounded by both practice variation and comparisons using noncomparable control groups. Effectiveness evaluations of HHC in reducing readmission requires attention to sample comparability and control for mediating variables. Establishing evidence of effectiveness clarifies the utility of HHC as a strategy to reduce readmissions.
Keywords: Home health care (HHC); outcomes; patient characteristics; readmissions.