Project description:BackgroundOn average Black patients have longer LOS than comparable White patients. Longer hospital length of stay (LOS) may be associated with higher readmission risk. However, evidence suggests that the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) reduced overall racial differences in 30-day adjusted readmission risk. Yet, it is unclear whether the HRRP narrowed these LOS racial differences.ObjectiveWe examined the relationship between Medicare-insured Black-White differences in average, adjusted LOS (ALOS) and the HRRP's implementation and evaluation periods.MethodsUsing 2009-2017 data from State Inpatient Dataset from New York, New Jersey, and Florida, we employed an interrupted time series analysis with multivariate generalized regression models controlling for patient, disease, and hospital characteristics. Results are reported per 100 admissions.ResultsWe found that for those discharged home, Black-White ALOS differences significantly widened by 4.15 days per 100 admissions (95% CI: 1.19 to 7.11, P < 0.001) for targeted conditions from before to after the HRRP implementation period, but narrowed in the HRRP evaluation period by 1.84 days per 100 admissions for every year-quarter (95% CI: -2.86 to -0.82, P < 0.001); for those discharged to non-home destinations, there was no significant change between HRRP periods, but ALOS differences widened over the study period. Black-White ALOS differences for non-targeted conditions remained unchanged regardless of HRRP phase and discharge destination.ConclusionIncreased LOS for Black patients may have played a role in reducing Black-White disparities in 30-day readmission risks for targeted conditions among patients discharged to home.
Project description:BackgroundEvidence on the association between newborn length of hospital stay (LOS) and risk of readmission is conflicting. We compared methods for modelling this relationship, by gestational age, using population-level hospital data on births in England between 2005-14.MethodsThe association between LOS and unplanned readmission within 30 days of postnatal discharge was explored using four approaches: (i) modelling hospital-level LOS and readmission rates; (ii) comparing trends over time in LOS and readmission; (iii) modelling individual LOS and adjusted risk of readmission; and (iv) instrumental variable analyses (hospital-level mean LOS and number of births on the same day).ResultsOf 4 667 827 babies, 5.2% were readmitted within 30 days. Aggregated data showed hospitals with longer mean LOS were not associated with lower readmission rates for vaginal (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66, 1.13), or caesarean (aRR 0.89, 95% CI 0.72, 1.12) births. LOS fell by an average 2.0% per year for vaginal births and 3.4% for caesarean births, while readmission rates increased by 4.4 and 5.1% per year respectively. Approaches (iii) and (iv) indicated that longer LOS was associated with a reduced risk of readmission, but only for late preterm, vaginal births (34-36 completed weeks' gestation).ConclusionsLonger newborn LOS may benefit late preterm babies, possibly due to increased medical or psychosocial support for those at greater risk of potentially preventable readmissions after birth. Research based on observational data to evaluate relationships between LOS and readmission should use methods to reduce the impact of unmeasured confounding.
Project description:BackgroundThe population of persons seeking medical care is linguistically diverse in the United States. Language barriers can adversely affect a patient's ability to explain their symptoms. Among hospitalized patients, these barriers may lead to higher readmission rates and longer hospitalizations. Trained interpreters help overcome communication barriers; however, interpreter usage among patients is suboptimal.ObjectiveTo investigate differences among patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) in their length of stay (LOS) and 30-day readmission rate associated with their receiving professional interpretation at admission or discharge.DesignWe analyzed the rates of interpretation at admission and discharge of all LEP patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital over a three-year period. We calculated length of stay in days and as log of LOS. We also examined 30-day readmission. Using multivariable regression models, we explored differences among patients who received interpretation at admission, discharge, or both, controlling for patient characteristics, including age, illness severity, language, and gender.ParticipantsAll LEP patients admitted between May 1, 2004 and April 30, 2007.Main measuresLength of hospital stay as related to use of professional interpreters; readmission to the hospital within 30 days.Key resultsOf the 3071 patients included in the study, 39 % received language interpretation on both admission and discharge date. Patients who did not receive professional interpretation at admission or both admission/discharge had an increase in their LOS of between 0.75 and 1.47 days, compared to patients who had an interpreter on both day of admission and discharge (P<0.02). Patients receiving interpretation at admission and/or discharge were less likely than patients receiving no interpretation to be readmitted with 30 days.ConclusionsThe length of a hospital stay for LEP patients was significantly longer when professional interpreters were not used at admission or both admission/discharge.
Project description:BackgroundDiagnostic errors occur frequently, especially in the emergency room. Estimates about the consequences of diagnostic error vary widely and little is known about the factors predicting error. Our objectives thus was to determine the rate of discrepancy between diagnoses at hospital admission and discharge in patients presenting through the emergency room, the discrepancies' consequences, and factors predicting them.MethodsProspective observational clinical study combined with a survey in a University-affiliated tertiary care hospital. Patients' hospital discharge diagnosis was compared with the diagnosis at hospital admittance through the emergency room and classified as similar or discrepant according to a predefined scheme by two independent expert raters. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate the effect of diagnostic discrepancy on mortality and length of hospital stay and to determine whether characteristics of patients, diagnosing physicians, and context predicted diagnostic discrepancy.Results755 consecutive patients (322 [42.7%] female; mean age 65.14 years) were included. The discharge diagnosis differed substantially from the admittance diagnosis in 12.3% of cases. Diagnostic discrepancy was associated with a longer hospital stay (mean 10.29 vs. 6.90 days; Cohen's d 0.47; 95% confidence interval 0.26 to 0.70; P = 0.002) and increased patient mortality (8 (8.60%) vs. 25(3.78%); OR 2.40; 95% CI 1.05 to 5.5 P = 0.038). A factor available at admittance that predicted diagnostic discrepancy was the diagnosing physician's assessment that the patient presented atypically for the diagnosis assigned (OR 3.04; 95% CI 1.33-6.96; P = 0.009).ConclusionsDiagnostic discrepancies are a relevant healthcare problem in patients admitted through the emergency room because they occur in every ninth patient and are associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Discrepancies are not readily predictable by fixed patient or physician characteristics; attention should focus on context.Trial registrationhttps://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/5/e011585.
Project description:Objective: How hospital length of stay after delivery for women with preeclampsia is associated with risk for readmission is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate risk for 60-day hypertension-related postpartum readmission based on length of stay after delivery.Methods: The 2014 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's (HCUP) Nationwide Readmissions Database was used to analyze risk for readmission for a hypertension-related diagnosis within 60 days from cesarean delivery hospitalization for women with preeclampsia who underwent cesarean delivery. Risk for readmission was evaluated based on postoperative length of stay as well as demographic, hospital, and other obstetric factors. Population weights were applied to create national estimates. Multivariable analyses were performed with adjusted risk ratios (aRR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals as measures of effect. Mean and median hospital charges based upon postoperative length of stay were also evaluated. Time from delivery hospitalization to readmission was calculated.Results: In 2014, 65 401 women with preeclampsia underwent cesarean delivery. Of these, 1016 women (1.6%) were readmitted for a hypertension-related diagnosis. 921 of the 1016 readmissions occurred within 10 days of discharge (90.6%). In adjusted analyses, postoperative LOS 5-7 days and >7 days compared to LOS <3 days were associated with decreased risk of 60-day hypertension-related readmission (aRR 0.59 95% CI 0.45, 0.78; aRR 0.53 95% CI 0.29, 1.00, respectively). When the cohort was restricted to women with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, LOS 5-7 days was associated with decreased risk of 60-day hypertension-related readmission in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses compared to LOS <3 days (risk ratios (RR) 0.34, 95% CI 0.18, 0.65; aRR 0.29, 95% 0.18, 0.46, respectively). Median delivery hospitalization charges were $26 512. Compared to LOS <3 days, mean and median charges increased significantly for patients with LOS 4, 5-7, and >7 days.Conclusion: Longer postoperative length of stay during cesarean delivery hospitalizations was associated with decreased risk for postpartum hypertension-related readmission. Most readmissions occurred soon after discharge. These findings support that post-delivery management may play a role in likelihood of women requiring subsequent readmission for complications related to preeclampsia after discharge.
Project description:Simultaneously evaluate postoperative mortality, length of stay (LOS), and readmission.National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP).Retrospective cohort.Data from elective general surgical patients were obtained from the 2012 NSQIP Participant Use File. For each postoperative day, each patient's state was classified as index hospitalization, discharged home, discharged to long-term care (LTC), readmitted, or dead. Transition rates were estimated using exponential regression, assuming constant rates for specified time periods. These estimates were combined into a multistate model, simulated results of which were compared to observed outcomes.Age, comorbidities, more complex procedures, and longer index LOS were associated with lower rates of discharge home and higher rates of death, discharge to LTC, and readmission. The longer patients had been discharged, the less likely they were to die or be readmitted. The model predicted 30-day mortality 0.38 percent (95 percent CI: 0.36-0.41), index LOS 2.85 days (95 percent CI: 2.83-2.86), LTC discharge 2.76 percent (95 percent CI: 2.69-2.82), and readmissions 5.53 percent (95 percent CI: 5.43-5.62); observed values were 0.39 percent, 2.82 days, 2.87 percent, and 5.70 percent, respectively.Multistate models can simultaneously predict postoperative mortality, LOS, discharge destination, and readmissions, which allows multidimensional comparison of surgical outcomes.
Project description:The effect of emergency department (ED) length of stay (EDLOS) on in-hospital mortality (IHM) remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the association between EDLOS and IHM. We searched the PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Scopus databases from their inception until 14-15 January 2022. We included studies reporting the association between EDLOS and IHM. A total of 11,337 references were identified, and 52 studies (total of 1,718,518 ED patients) were included in the systematic review and 33 in the meta-analysis. A statistically significant association between EDLOS and IHM was observed for EDLOS over 24 h in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) (OR = 1.396, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.147 to 1.701; p < 0.001, I2 = 0%) and for low EDLOS in non-ICU-admitted patients (OR = 0.583, 95% CI: 0.453 to 0.745; p < 0.001, I2 = 0%). No associations were detected for the other cut-offs. Our findings suggest that there is an association between IHM low EDLOS and EDLOS exceeding 24 h and IHM. Long stays in the ED should not be allowed and special attention should be given to patients admitted after a short stay in the ED.
Project description:Hospital length of stay (LOS) after burn injury is commonly estimated as 1 day per percent burn, but LOS often exceeds that estimate. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel method for estimating burn hospital LOS at any time during hospitalization. The authors used the American Burn Association National Burn Repository from 2000 to 2009 to directly estimate the median residual LOS (MRLOS) of patients hospitalized for burn injuries and who survived to discharge. The MRLOS is the median of how many more days a burn patient will be hospitalized given that the person has been in hospital for a specified time period. The authors also estimated the 25th and 75th percentiles of residual life and quantified the relationship between MRLOS and LOS with ordinary least squares for all burn patients, by burn size and by presence of inhalation injury. MRLOS increased with increasing LOS, confirming that discharge estimates change over time. Patients with inhalation injury had longer MRLOS than patients without inhalation injury in the first 100 hospital days. Patients with large burns (>25%) had large MRLOS consistent with prolonged hospitalization, but patients with small burns (<25%) also had steadily increasing MRLOS during hospitalization (ie, the longer the patient was in the hospital, the longer the predicted LOS regardless of initial LOS estimate). Estimating remaining hospital LOS at any time during admission has been problematic; MRLOS can be used to provide an estimate of remaining hospital LOS and resource utilization to families, administrators, and other medical professionals.
Project description:BackgroundHospital length of stays (LOS) for incident of hip fracture are decreasing, but it is unknown if these changes have negative impacts on vulnerable older patient populations, like those with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to assess if persons with and without AD have different hospital LOS for hip fracture, and is the LOS associated with hospital readmissions.MethodsUtilizing register-based data for a matched cohort study nested in the Medication use and Alzheimer's disease study (MEDALZ), we collected all community-dwelling persons in Finland diagnosed with AD during 2005-2012, had incident of first hip fracture between 2005 and 2015 after AD diagnosis, and were discharged alive from an acute care hospital. Hospital LOS and hospital readmissions within 30-days and 90-days were compared between those with and without AD and risk of readmission was assessed using binary logistic regression analysis.ResultsIn this matched cohort study of 12,532 persons (mean age 84.6 years (95% CI: 84.5-84.7), 76.8% women), the median LOS in an acute care hospital was 1 day shorter for those with AD (median 4 days, IQR 3-7) than those without AD (median 5 days, IQR 3-7) (P < 0.001). However, the AD cohort had respectively 6 days and 5 days longer median LOS in a community hospital, and total hospital stay compared to the non-AD cohort (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Those with AD had fewer readmissions within 30-days (10.7%) and 90-days (16.9%) compared to those without AD (13.3% 30-days and 20.7% 90-days) (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Both cohorts had a reduced readmission risk within 30-days when the LOS in an acute care hospital was 4-14 days, compared to a LOS less than 4 days.ConclusionsPersons with AD had shorter acute care hospital LOS, but had longer LOS in a community hospital setting compared to those without AD, which is similar to other findings when comparing total hospital LOS. These findings imply that short LOS in acute care hospitals may be associated with poor health outcomes for vulnerable older populations after hip fracture.
Project description:ImportanceHong Kong's internal resource allocation system for public inpatient care changed from a global budget system to one based on diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) in 2009 and returned to a global budget system in 2012. Changes in patient and hospital outcomes associated with moving from a DRG-based system to a global budget system for inpatient care have rarely been evaluated.ObjectiveTo examine associations between the introduction and discontinuation of DRGs and changes in length of stay, volume of care, in-hospital mortality rates, and emergency readmission rates in the inpatient population in acute care hospitals overall, stratified by age group, and across 5 medical conditions.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional study included data from patients aged 45 years or older who were hospitalized in public acute care settings in Hong Kong before the introduction (April 2006 to March 2009), during implementation (April 2009 to March 2012), and after discontinuation (April 2012 to November 2014) of the DRG scheme. Data analysis was conducted from January to June 2021.ExposuresPublic hospitals transitioned from a global budget payment system to a DRG-based system in April 2009 and returned to a global budget system in April 2014.Main outcomes and measuresThe main outcome was the association of use of DRGs with patient-level length of stay, in-hospital mortality rate, 1-month emergency readmission rate, and population-level number of admissions per month. An interrupted time series design was used to estimate changes in the level and slope of outcome variables after introduction and discontinuation of DRGs, accounting for pretrends.ResultsThis study included 7 604 390 patient episodes. Overall, the mean (SD) age of patients was 68.97 (13.20) years, and 52.17% were male. The introduction of DRGs was associated with a 1.77% (95% CI, 1.23%-2.32%) decrease in the mean length of stay, a 2.90% (95% CI, 2.52%-3.28%) increase in the number of patients admitted, a 4.12% (95% CI, 1.89%-6.35%) reduction in in-hospital mortality, and a 2.37% (95% CI, 1.28%-3.46%) decrease in emergency readmissions. Discontinuation of the DRG scheme was associated with a 0.93% (95% CI, 0.42%-1.44%) increase in the mean length of stay and a 1.82% (95% CI, 1.47%-2.17%) reduction in the number of patients treated after adjusting for covariates; no statistically significant change was observed in in-hospital mortality (-0.14%; 95% CI, -2.29% to 2.01%) or emergency readmission rate (-0.29%; 95% CI, -1.30% to 0.71%).Conclusions and relevanceIn this cross-sectional study, the introduction of DRGs was associated with shorter lengths of stay and increased hospital volume, and discontinuation was associated with longer lengths of stay and decreased hospital volume. In-hospital mortality and emergency readmission rates did not significantly change after discontinuation of DRGs.