OBJECTIVE To identify patient- and admission-related risk factors for a medically inappropriate admission to a department of internal medicine. METHODS Cross-sectional study of a systematic sample of 500 admissions to the department of internal medicine of an urban teaching hospital. The appropriateness of each admission and reasons for inappropriate admissions were assessed using the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol. Risk factors included the time (day of week and holidays) and manner (through emergency department or direct admission) of admission, patient age and sex, health status of patient and spouse, living arrangements, formal home care services, and informal support from family or friends. RESULTS Overall, 76 (15.2%) hospital admissions were rated as medically inappropriate by the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol. In multivariate analysis, the likelihood of an inappropriate admission was increased by better physical functioning of the patient (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.1 [for 1 SD in Physical Functioning scores]), lower mental health status of the patient's spouse (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.3-5.6), receipt of informal help from family or friends (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.5-7.2), and hospitalization by one's physician (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.7-7.5). Receiving formal adult home care was not associated with inappropriateness of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS Inappropriate admissions to internal medicine wards are determined by a mix of factors, including the patient's health and social environment. In addition, the private practitioners' discretionary ability to hospitalize their patients directly may also favor medically inappropriate admissions.