Table 2.

Characteristics of Index Hospitalizations

Characteristics	Hospitalizations (n=142 210)
	n	%
Hospital type
Short‐term	142 042	99.9
Critical access	168	0.1
Accessed ICU during index hospitalization
No	83 110	58.4
Yes	59 100	41.6
Length of stay, d
2–4	70 396	49.5
5–9	52 727	37.1
10–14	12 017	8.5
≥15	7070	5.0
Primary cause of index hospitalization
Acute coronary syndrome	13 018	9.2
Arrhythmia	14 985	10.5
CHFa	50 343	35.4
Stroke	5879	4.1
Other cardiovascular disease	57 985	40.8
Discharge destination
Home, self‐care/home, home care	119 048	83.7
SNF	23 162	16.3
Index discharge during influenza season
No	106 992	75.2
Yes	35 218	24.8
Comorbid conditions 180 d before dischargeb
Arteriosclerotic heart disease	103 923	73.1
CHF	108 482	76.3
Transient ischemic attack	38 653	27.2
Peripheral vascular disease	72 772	51.2
Other cardiovascular disease	79 246	55.7
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease	60 464	42.5
Gastrointestinal	18 457	13.0
Liver disease	12 171	8.6
Dysrhythmia	81 131	57.1
Cancer	10 647	7.5
Diabetes mellitus	105 511	74.2
SNF stay 180 d before dischargeb	21 469	15.1
History of hospitalization 180 d before dischargeb	79 750	56.1

CHF indicates congestive heart failure; ICU, intensive care unit; SNF, skilled nursing facility.

^aComprising heart failure, fluid overload, and cardiomyopathy.

^bComorbidity and history of SNF stay or hospitalization were assessed during the baseline period: 180 d before discharge from the index hospitalization.