Date of Conferral

11-14-2025

Date of Award

November 2025

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)

School

Health Services

Advisor

Miriam Ross

Abstract

Abstract Thirty-day hospital readmissions continue to be an increasing problem for healthcare administrators due to quality and costs. This study was conducted to examine whether gender and race were related to 30-day readmissions in urban and rural counties of North Carolina and Wisconsin. Research questions included the dependent variable of 30-day acute hospital readmissions and the independent variables of race (Black and White) and gender (male and female). The framework was Donabedian’s quality of care model consisting of three components: structure, process, and outcomes. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services secondary data were gathered in 2022 from 595,294 patients in 1,548 hospital systems for North Carolina and Wisconsin. Pearson’s correlational analysis demonstrated a positive relationship between both gender (female) and race (Black) and 30-day readmissions. Independent samples t-tests revealed significant differences between males and females on 30-day readmissions (p<.001) and between White and Black patients on 30-day readmissions (p<.001). Findings suggested that female patients were readmitted within 30 days of hospitalization more often than male patients, and Black patients were readmitted more often than White patients in rural and urban hospitals in North Carolina and Wisconsin. This research adds to the understanding of sociodemographic factors related to acute hospital readmissions. Targeted programs that involve improved discharge planning and care coordination may be an effective way to reduce readmissions and improve care outcomes for patients at risk, thus meeting clinical guidelines while reducing healthcare costs.

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