Which of the following factors is commonly addressed by case managers to reduce hospital readmission risk?

• A. Adequate social support
• B. Functional status improvements
• C. Lack of follow-up care
• D. Poverty alleviation

Answer: (C)

Ensuring follow-up after discharge is a primary way case managers reduce hospital readmission risk. When follow-up care is arranged and kept, clinicians can catch problems early, verify medications, review symptoms, and reinforce the discharge plan. This close continuity helps prevent issues from escalating into a rehospitalization, making timely post-discharge follow-up the most direct and commonly addressed intervention by case managers.

While factors like social support, functional status, and poverty influence readmission risk, they are broader determinants and not as directly targeted by the typical post-discharge interventions case managers use to prevent readmissions.