BOOST Score
Median BOOST score for all patients was 4.0 (IQR ±1.0). The median BOOST
score for those readmitted (4.0, IQR ±2.0) was found to be significantly
higher than for those not readmitted (3.0, IQR ±2.0) (Mann Whitney U, p
= 0.004). The frequency of contributing factors for the BOOST score are
given in Table 2 as number of patients (% of readmission status). The
most commonly scored BOOST component was for a high-risk principal
diagnosis (76.4%), and the least scored was for depression history
(10.0%). Cross tabulation with Pearson chi-square testing found a
significantly higher number of patients readmitted with diabetes
mellitus, taking >9 regular medications, prescribed
insulin, or with an unplanned admission in the past 6 months (p = 0.013,
0.043, 0.024, and <0.001 respectively) compared to those not
readmitted.