Thirty-day readmission occurred in 18.4% of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in this sample, and early readmission is strongly associated with increased mortality compared to late readmission.

Further research is needed to clarify whether the rehospitalizations or associated mortalities are preventable.

Nationally, 25,170 admissions meeting criteria were identified.

Index admission mortality rate was 37.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.2–38.8). 15,730 records of those surviving hospitalization had complete discharge information.

30-day readmission rate was 18.4%, with 14% of total readmissions occurring within 2 calendar days of discharge; these early readmissions had higher mortality risk compared with readmission in subsequent days.

For the closest all-cause readmission within 30 days, the mean cost was $26,971, with a total national cost of over $75.6 million.

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