Which option is considered a patient outcome metric?

Hospital readmission rates serve as a crucial patient outcome metric because they directly reflect the quality of care provided to patients after an initial hospitalization. High readmission rates can indicate issues such as inadequate discharge planning, insufficient patient education, or complications arising from the treatment provided. By monitoring and analyzing these rates, healthcare providers can evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions and improve patient care practices.

In contrast, the other options focus on operational aspects or institutional performance rather than direct measures of patient health outcomes. Metrics like staff turnover rates, financial sustainability, and equipment downtime do not provide insights into how well patients are being cared for or their health status after treatment.