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Study cites infection, pain as most common reasons for early readmission after elective spine surgery
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CHICAGO — The most common reasons for unplanned hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge following elective lumbar decompression and fusion were infection and pain, according to results presented at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting.
“Hospital readmissions have negative consequences on both patents and hospitals systems,” Owiocho Adogwa, MD, said during his presentation. “They are costly on both public and private payers. The estimated costs are above $17 billion. Fifty-eight percent of the cost is incurred by Medicare, 20% by private payers and 18% by Medicaid. Twenty percent of Medicare beneficiaries that are discharged are readmitted within 30 days, and 70% of those patients are readmitted for things that are unnecessary or unplanned.”
Owiocho Adogwa
Adogwa and colleagues evaluated 1,400 patients who underwent elective spine surgery at Duke University Hospital between 2008 and 2010. The mean patient age was 58 years. Cause of readmission and length of hospital stay was determined using patient records.
Results indicated the most common procedure performed was decompression and fusion. Investigators identified 132 unplanned readmissions within 30 days of discharge. Common causes for readmission included infection or concern for infection and pain. According to Adogwa, the mean number of days from discharge to readmission was 9.87 days, with an average length of stay of 7.49 days. Most patients readmitted to the emergency department came from home, whereas 25.21% came from a skilled nursing facility.
“Efforts for reducing or addressing unplanned readmission after elective spine surgery should be focused on more effective post-discharge care,” he said. – by Monica Jaramillo
Reference:
Adogwa O, et al. Paper #804. Presented at: American Association of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting. April 30-May 4, 2016; Chicago.
Disclosure: Adogwa reports no relevant financial disclosures.