Certain regions of the U.S. suffer from high hospital readmission rates. Interestingly, that elevated number may have less to do with poor care or more severe illnesses.

Prior to heart surgery, many patients are concerned that there could be complications such as infection from the deep incision. Pneumonia is actually the most common serious infection after a cardiac operation.

Patients at smaller, rural hospitals may not be getting the same quality of care as some of the larger hospitals inside major cities. A study indicates patients at these less accessible hospitals have a greater chance of dying from serious illnesses such as congestive heart failure.

Some health problems can come out of nowhere, even under the watchful eye of a doctor. Hospital patients can be suddenly hit by a complication that seems separate from the reason they were put in the hospital in the first place.

Hospital readmission rates for elderly black patients are greater than those of white patients, according to a new study.