Same-Hospital Re-Admission Rate Is Not Reliable for Measuring Post-Operative Infection-Related Re-Admission

Is it legitimate to use unplanned hospitalizations as a quality indicator for cancer patients? A retrospective French cohort study with special attention to the influence of social deprivation

PURPOSE

Readmission indicators are used around the world to assess the quality of hospital care. We aimed to assess the relevance of this type of indicator in oncology, especially for socially deprived patients. Our objectives were (1) to assess the proportion of unplanned hospitalizations (UHs) in cancer patients, (2) to assess the proportion of UHs that were avoidable, i.e., related to poor care quality, and (3) to analyze cancer patients the effect of patients' deprivation level on the type of UH (avoidable UHs vs. unavoidable UHs).

METHODS

In a French university hospital, we selected all hospitalizations over a year for a random sample of cancer patients. Based on medical records, we identified those among UHs due to avoidable health problems. We assessed the association between social deprivation, home-to-hospital distance, or home-to-general practitioner with the type of UH (avoidable vs. unavoidable) via a multivariate binary logit estimation.

RESULTS

Among 2349 hospitalizations (355 patients), there were 383 UHs (16 %), among which 38% were avoidable. Among UHs, the European Deprivation Index was significantly associated with the risk of avoidable UHs, with a lower risk of avoidable UH for patients with medium or high social deprivation.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the use of UHs rate as a quality indicator is questionable in oncology. Indeed, the majority of UHs were not avoidable. Furthermore, within UHs, those involving patients with medium or high social deprivation are more often unavoidable in comparison with other patients.

Financial Toxicity in Emergency General Surgery: Novel Propensity-Matched Outcome Comparison

BACKGROUND

Financial toxicity describes the harmful effect of individual treatment costs and fiscal burdens that have a compounding negative impact on outcomes in surgery. While this phenomenon has been widely studied in surgical oncology, the purpose of this study was to perform a novel exploration of the impact of financial toxicity in emergency general surgery (EGS) patients throughout the US.

STUDY DESIGN

The Nationwide Readmissions Database for January and February 2018 was queried for all EGS patients aged 18 to 65 years. One-to-one propensity matching was performed with and without risk for financial toxicity. The primary outcome was mortality, and the secondary outcomes were venous thromboembolism (VTE), prolonged length of stay (LOS), and readmission within 30 days.

RESULTS

There were 24,154 EGS patients propensity matched. The mortality rate was 0.2% (n = 39), and the rate of VTE was 0.5% (n = 113). With financial toxicity, there was no statistically significant difference for mortality (p = 0.08) or VTE (p = 0.30). The rate of prolonged LOS was 6.2% (n = 824), and the risk was increased with financial toxicity (risk ratio 1.24 [1.12 to 1.37]; p < 0.001). The readmission rate was 7.0% (n = 926), and the risk with financial toxicity was increased (risk ratio 1.21 [1.10 to 1.33]; p < 0.001). The mean count of comorbidities per patient per admission during readmission within 1 year with financial toxicity was 2.1 ± 1.9 versus 1.8 ± 1.7 without (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite little difference in the rate of mortality or VTE, EGS patients at risk for financial toxicity have an increased risk of readmission and longer LOS. Fewer comorbidities were identified at index admission than during readmission in patients at risk for financial toxicity. Future studies aimed at reducing this compounding effect of financial toxicity and identifying missed comorbidities have the potential to improve EGS outcomes.

Comparing Severely Injured Trauma Patients Admitted to Investor-Owned versus Public and Not-For-Profit Hospitals Reveals Opportunities for Improvement in the US

BACKGROUND

Non-elderly trauma patients represent the largest portion of preventable years of life loss in the US. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes in patients admitted to investor-owned vs public and not-for-profit hospitals across the US.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The Nationwide Readmissions Database 2018 was queried for trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score greater than 15 and age 18-65 years. The primary outcome was mortality; secondary outcomes were prolonged length of stay (LOS) greater than 30 days, readmission within 30 days, and readmission to a different hospital. Patients admitted to investor-owned hospitals were compared to public and not-for-profit hospitals. Univariable analysis was performed using chi-squared tests. Multivariable logistic regression was performed for each outcome.

RESULTS

157 945 patients were included with 11.0% (n = 17 346) admitted to investor-owned hospitals. The overall mortality rate and prolonged LOS were similar for both groups. The overall readmission rate was 9.2% (n = 13 895), with the rate in investor-owned hospitals at 10.5% (n = 1,739, P < .001). Multivariable logistic regression revealed investor-owned hospitals had an increased risk of readmission (OR 1.2 [1.1-1.3] P < .001) and readmission to a different hospital (OR 1.3 [1.2-1.5] P < .001).

DISCUSSION

Severely injured trauma patients have similar rates of mortality and prolonged length of stay in investor-owned vs public and not-for-profit hospitals. However, patients admitted to investor-owned hospitals have an increased risk of readmission and readmission to different hospitals. Efforts to improve outcomes after trauma must consider hospital ownership and readmission to different hospitals.

Trends and Burden of Firearm-Related Injuries Among Children and Adolescents: A National Perspective

INTRODUCTION

Firearm-related injuries in America have been under increasing scrutiny over the last several years. Few studies have examined the burden of these injuries in the pediatric population. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence of firearm-related injuries in hospitalized pediatric patients in the United States and identify the risk factors associated with readmission in this young population.

METHODS

The Nationwide Readmission Database was examined from 2010 to 2017. Pediatric patients (aged ≤18 y) who survived their index hospitalization for any firearm injury were analyzed to determine incidence rate, case fatality rate, risk factors for 30-d readmission, and financial health care burden.

RESULTS

There were 35,753 pediatric firearm injuries (86.8% male) with an overall incidence rate of 10.49 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.26-11.71) per 100,000 pediatric hospitalizations. Adolescents aged >12 y had the highest incidence rate (60.51, 95% CI: 55.19-65.84). In-hospital mortality occurred in 1948 cases (5.5%), with higher case fatality rates in males. There were 1616 (5.7%) unplanned 30-d readmissions. Multivariate analysis showed abdominal firearm injuries (hazard ratio: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.03-1.24; P = 0.006) and longer length of stay (hazard ratio: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.04-1.55; P = 0.016) were associated with a greater risk of 30-d readmission. The median health care cost for firearm-related injuries was $36,535 (interquartile range: $19,802-$66,443), 22% of which was due to readmissions. Cost associated with 30-d readmissions was $7978 (interquartile range: $4305-$15,202).

CONCLUSIONS

Firearm-related injury is a major contributor to pediatric morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Males are disproportionately affected by firearm injury, but females are more likely to require unplanned 30-d readmissions. Interventions should target female sex, injuries of suicidal intent, psychiatric comorbidities, prolonged index hospitalization, and abdominal injuries.

The burden of readmission after discharge from necrotizing soft tissue infection

BACKGROUND

The need for extensive surgical debridement with necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) may put patients at high risk for unplanned readmission. However, there is a paucity of data on the burden of readmission in patients afflicted with NSTI. We hypothesized that unplanned readmission would significantly contribute to the burden of disease after discharge from initial hospitalization.

METHODS

The Nationwide Readmission Database was used to identify adults undergoing debridement for NSTI hospitalizations from 2010 to 2017. Risk factors for 90-day readmission were assessed by Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

There were a total of 82,738 NSTI admissions during the study period, of which 25,076 (30.3%) underwent 90-day readmissions. Median time to readmission was 25 days (interquartile range, 9-49 days). Fragmentation of care, longer length of index stay (>2 weeks), and Medicaid status were independent risk factors for readmission. Median cost of a readmission was US $10,543. Readmission added 174,640 hospital days to episodes of care over the study period, resulting in an estimated financial burden of US $1.4 billion.

CONCLUSION

Unplanned readmission caused by NSTIs is common and costly. Interventions that target patients at risk for readmission may help decrease the burden of disease.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Economic/Epidemiological, level IV.

Surgical stabilization of traumatic rib fractures is associated with reduced readmissions and increased survival

BACKGROUND

Surgical stabilization for rib fractures (SSRF) in trauma patients remains controversial, with guidelines currently suggesting the procedure for only select patient groups. How surgical stabilization for rib fractures affect hospital readmission in patients with traumatic rib fractures is unknown. We hypothesized that surgical stabilization for rib fractures would not decrease the risk of readmission.

METHODS

The National Readmission Database was examined for adults with any rib fractures from 2010 to 2017. Readmission up to 90 days was examined. Patients receiving surgical stabilization for rib fractures were compared with those receiving nonoperative treatment.

RESULTS

In total, 864,485 patients met criteria, with 13,701 (1.6%) receiving SSRF. For patients receiving SSRF, 338 (1.5%) were readmitted. Readmitted patients had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index and were more likely to have flail chest. On multivariate propensity score-matched analysis, SSRF (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-0.92, P = .022) was associated with reduced readmission. Addition of surgical stabilization for rib fractures to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.95, 95% CI 0.52-1.73, P = .86) or thoracotomy (OR: 1.97, 95% CI 0.83-4.70, P = .13) was not associated with increased readmission. On further propensity matched analysis, VATS + SSRF when compared with SSRF alone (HR: 0.75, 95% CI 0.18-3.20, P = .696), and VATS + SSRF when compared with VATS alone (HR: 0.49, 95% CI 0.11-2.22, P = .355) was also not associated with increased readmission. SSRF on primary admission was associated with increased in-hospital survival (HR: 0.27, 95% CI 0.22-0.32, P < .001). For patients with retained hemothorax who underwent VATS, addition of SSRF did not improve survival (HR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.58-1.46, P = .72). However, for patients requiring thoracotomy for retained hemothorax, concomitant SSRF was associated with improved survival (HR = 0.14, 95% CI 0.06-0.32, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Surgical stabilization for rib fractures is associated with reduced readmission risk while also being associated with improved survival. Patients who had a thoracotomy for retained hemothorax appear to especially benefit from concomitant surgical stabilization for rib fractures.

Uncaptured rates of postpartum venous thromboembolism: a US national analysis

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the proportion of postpartum venous thromboembolism (VTE) readmissions, including those that occur at different hospitals from index admission, and describe risk factors for this outcome.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

SETTING

US hospitals included in the Nationwide Readmissions Database.

SAMPLE

A total of 3 719 238 patients >14 years of age with a delivery-associated hospitalisation in 2014.

METHODS

Univariate analysis was performed to identify patient and hospital factors associated with readmissions. Significant factors were included in multivariate logistic regression to identify independent risk factors. Results were weighted for national estimates.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Readmission with VTE to both index and different hospitals at 30, 60 and 90 days.

RESULTS

The VTE cumulative readmission rate was 0.053% (n = 1477), 0.063% (n = 1765) and 0.069% (n = 1938) at 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively. Patients were readmitted to different hospitals 31% of the time within 90 days. Risk factors for different hospital VTE readmission were unique and included younger age and initial admission to a small/medium-sized hospital. Initial admission to a for-profit hospital increased the likelihood of readmission to a different hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly one in three postpartum VTEs are missed by the current quality metrics, with significant implications for outcomes and quality. For-profit hospitals have a significant portion of their VTE readmissions hidden, falsely lowering their readmission rates relative to public hospitals.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

US analysis shows 1 in 3 readmissions for postpartum venous thromboembolism currently missed.

Readmission for venous thromboembolism after emergency general surgery is underreported and influenced by insurance status

BACKGROUND

Prior studies of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after emergency general surgery (EGS) are not nationally representative nor do they fully capture readmissions to different hospitals. We hypothesized that different-hospital readmission accounted for a significant number of readmissions with VTE after EGS and that predictive factors would be different for same- and different-hospital readmissions.

METHODS

The 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried for nonelective EGS hospitalizations. The outcomes were readmission to the index or different hospitals within 180 days with VTE. Multivariate logistic regressions identified risk factors for readmission to index and different hospitals with VTE, reported as odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals. Patients were excluded if during the index admission they expired, developed a VTE, had a vena cava filter placed, or did not have at least 180 days of follow-up.

RESULTS

Of 1,584,605 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 1.3% (n = 20,963) of patients were readmitted within 180 days with a VTE. Of these, 28% (n = 5,866) were readmitted to a different hospital. Predictors overall for readmission with VTE were malignancy, prolonged hospitalization, age, and being publicly insured. However, predictors for readmission to a different hospital are based on hospital characteristics, including for-profit status, or procedure type.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly one in three readmissions with VTE after EGS occurs at a different hospital and may be missed by current quality metrics that only capture same-hospital readmission. Such metrics may underestimate for-profit hospital postoperative VTE rates relative to public and nonprofit hospitals, potentially affecting benchmarking and reimbursement. Postdischarge VTE rate is associated with insurance status. These findings have implications for policy and prevention programming design.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiological study, level III.

Readmission for infection after blunt splenic injury: A national comparison of management techniques

BACKGROUND

As nonoperative management (NOM) of blunt splenic injury (BSI) increases, understanding risks, especially infectious complications, becomes more important. There are no national studies on BSI outcomes that track readmissions across hospitals. Prior studies demonstrate that infection is a major cause of readmission after trauma and that a significant proportion is readmitted to different hospitals. The purpose of this study was to compare nationwide outcomes of different treatment modalities for BSI including readmissions to different hospitals.

METHODS

The Nationwide Readmissions Database for 2010 to 2014 was queried for patients 18 years to 64 years old admitted nonelectively with a primary diagnosis of BSI. Organ space infection; a composite infectious incidence of surgical site infection (SSI), urinary tract infection, and pneumonia; and sepsis were identified in three groups: NOM, splenic artery embolization (SAE), and operative management (OM). Rates of infection were quantified during index admission and 30-day and 1-year readmission. Multivariable logistic regression was performed. Results were weighted for national estimates.

RESULTS

Of the 37,986 patients admitted for BSI, 54.1% underwent NOM, 12.2% SAE, and 33.7% OM. Compared with OM and NOM, SAE had the highest rates of organ space SSI at 1 year (3.9% vs. 2.2% vs. 1.7%, p < 0.001). Compared with NOM, at 1 year, SAE had higher rates of infection (17.2% vs. 8.1%, p < 0.001) and sepsis (3.2% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.001). Compared with NOM, SAE had an increased risk of infection (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; 95 confidence interval [95% CI], 1.10-1.39; p < 0.001) and sepsis (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.06-1.76; p < 0.001) at 1 year. At 1 year, SAE had increased risk of organ space SSI (OR, 1.99; 1.60-2.47; p < 0.001) but OM did not.

CONCLUSION

Blunt splenic injury treated with SAE is at increased risk of both immediate and long-term infectious complications. Despite being considered splenic preservation, surgeons should be aware of these risks and incorporate such knowledge into their practice accordingly.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiological study, level IV.

Drivers of Hospital Readmission and Early Liver Transplant after Kasai Portoenterostomy

BACKGROUND

Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) remains the first-line operation for patients with biliary atresia (BA), but ultimately fails in up to 60% of cases. This study sought to identify factors contributing to hospital readmission and early liver transplant.

METHODS

The Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2010 to 2014 was used to identify patients with BA who underwent KPE on index admission. Patient factors, hospital characteristics, and complications of BA were compared by readmission rates and rate of liver transplant within 1 y. The results were weighted for national estimates.

RESULTS

Nine hundred and sixty three patients were identified. The readmission rate within 30-d was 36% (n = 346) and within 1-y was 67% (n = 647). Only 9% (n = 90) received a liver transplant within a year. The most common complications after KPE were cholangitis in 58%, decompensated cirrhosis in 54%, and recurrent jaundice in 34%. Male patients (OR 1.5, P = 0.02) with comorbid gastrointestinal anomalies (OR 2.1, P < 0.01) from lower income households (OR 4.6, P < 0.01) and early development of cirrhosis (OR 3.0, P < 0.01) were more likely to be readmitted. Liver transplant was more common in men (OR 4.0, P < 0.01) and those from lower income households (OR 5.2, P < 0.01) with decompensated cirrhosis (OR 8.6, P < 0.01), cholangitis (OR 5.0, P < 0.01), or sepsis (OR 5.7, P < 0.01) on index admission.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first nationwide study to evaluate readmissions in patients with BA undergoing KPE. Although KPE is a lifesaving procedure, hospital readmission rates are high and complications are common. Cholangitis, early progression of cirrhosis, and infections are highly associated with readmission and failure of KPE.

Hidden Readmissions after Carotid Endarterectomy and Stenting

BACKGROUND

Historically, carotid procedures incur a readmission rate of approximately 6%; however, these studies are not nationally representative and are limited to tracking only the index hospitals. We sought to evaluate a nationally representative database for readmission rates (including different hospitals) after both carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) and determine risk factors for poor outcomes including postoperative mortality and myocardial infarction.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective analysis utilizing the 2010-2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database to query patients aged >18 years undergoing CEA or CAS. Outcomes included initial admission mortality, and 30-day readmission, including mortality and myocardial infarction (MI). Univariable analysis of 39 demographic, clinical, and hospital variables was conducted with significance set at P < 0.05. Significant variables were included in a multivariable logistic regression to identify independent risk factors for readmission. Results were weighted for national estimates.

RESULTS

There were 527,622 patients undergoing carotid procedures and 13% (n = 69,187) underwent CAS. The 30-day readmission rate was 7% (n = 35,782), and of those, 25% (n = 8,862) were readmitted to a different hospital. When controlling for other factors, CAS was a risk factor for mortality at both index admission (odds ratio [OR] 2.29 [2.11-2.49]) and 30-day readmission (OR 1.48 [1.3-1.69]) and 30-day readmissions at both index hospital (OR 1.11 [1.07-1.14]) and different hospital (OR 1.38 [1.29-1.48]). Readmission to a different hospital increased mortality risk (OR 1.45 [1.29-1.63]) but did not have an effect on MI. Postoperative infections comprised 15% of readmissions while 6% of all readmissions were for stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Previously unreported, one in 4 readmissions after carotid procedures occur at a different hospital and this fragmentation of care could increase mortality risk after carotid procedures particularly for CAS which was also an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality and readmissions. Further validation is required to decrease unnecessary hospital after carotid procedures.

Meta-analysis of topical vancomycin powder for microbial profile in spinal surgical site infections

OBJECTIVES

To systematically evaluate the impact of topical vancomycin powder for microbial profile in spinal surgical site infections.

METHODS

All available literature regarding the topical use of vancomycin powder to prevent postoperative spinal infections was retrieved from the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases starting from the creation date and up until September 30, 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies involving 15,548 patients were reviewed. The combined odds ratio showed that topical use of vancomycin powder was effective for reducing the incidence of gram-positive bacterial infections in spinal surgical sites (OR 0.41, P < 0.00001) without affecting its efficacy in the prevention of polymicrobial infections (OR 0.30, P = 0.03). Additionally, it could significantly reduce the infection rate of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus (OR 0.34, P < 0.0001). However, topical vancomycin powder showed no advantage for preventing gram-negative bacterial infections (OR 0.94, P = 0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

Topical administration of vancomycin powder may not increase the rates of gram-negative bacterial or polymicrobial infections in spinal surgical sites. On the contrary, it can significantly reduce the infection rates of gram-positive bacteria, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus (MRS) and microorganism. Of course, the topical vancomycin powder cannot change the rates of gram-negative bacterial infections, which may be related to the antimicrobial spectrum of vancomycin. Due to the limited number of articles included in this study, additional large-scale and high-quality studies are needed to provide more reliable clinical evidence.

Variations in Nationwide Readmission Patterns after Umbilical Hernia Repair

Up to one in three readmissions occur at a different hospital and are thus missed by current quality metrics. There are no national studies examining 30-day readmission, including to different hospitals, after umbilical hernia repair (UHR). We tested the hypothesis that a large proportion were readmitted to a different hospital, that risk factors for readmission to a different hospital are unique, and that readmission costs differed between the index and different hospitals. The 2013 to 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried for patients admitted for UHR, and cost was calculated. Multivariate logistic regression identified risk factors for 30-day readmission at index and different hospitals. There were 102,650 admissions for UHR and 8.9 per cent readmissions, of which 15.8 per cent readmissions were to a different hospital. The most common reason for readmission was infection (25.8%). Risk factors for 30-day readmission to any hospital include bowel resection, index admission at a for-profit hospital, Medicare, Medicaid, and Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 2. Risk factors for 30-day readmission to a different hospital include elective operation, drug abuse, discharge to a skilled nursing facility, and leaving against medical advice. The median cost of initial admission was higher in those who were readmitted ($16,560 [$10,805–$29,014] vs $11,752 [$8151–$17,724], P < 0.01). The median cost of readmission was also higher among those readmitted to a different hospital ($9826 [$5497–$19,139] vs $9227 [$5211–$16,817], P = 0.02). After UHR, one in six readmissions occur at a different hospital, have unique risk factors, and are costlier. Current hospital benchmarks fail to capture this sub-population and, therefore, likely underestimate UHR readmissions.