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Study indicates factors and costs correlated with readmission after THA
Severity of illness, route of readmission and patient insurance effect the hospital costs overall for readmission within 90 after total hip arthroplasty, according to study results.
Researchers retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and with Current Procedural Terminology codes identified 1,781 patients. Investigators also identified 120 patients who were readmitted into the hospital within 90 days after the initial surgery. The total costs were determined and divided into groups. Associated costs and reasons for readmission were compared with the student t-test and analysis of variance.
Results showed causes for readmissions were THA infection, dislocation, hardware failure, deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia. The mean total costs for surgical reasons compared to medical reasons were significantly higher ($17,105 vs. $11,095). Investigators noted physician evaluation, imaging, laboratory workup, medication, transfusions and overall hospital costs were significantly associated with increasing severity of illness. Significantly higher hospital costs overall were seen in patients who were transferred from wither an outside hospital or inpatient rehabilitation unit compared to patients admitted from the emergency department or clinic. Medicare/Medicaid readmissions and private payers had similar mean total hospital costs, according to researchers.‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: Plate reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.