Sneha P Shah1, Tim Xu1, Craig M Hooker1, Alicia Hulbert2, Richard J Battafarano1, Malcolm V Brock3, Benedetto Mungo1, Daniela Molena1, Stephen C Yang4. 1. Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md. 2. Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md. 3. Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md; Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md. 4. Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md. Electronic address: syang7@jhmi.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Readmission after surgery is an unwanted adverse event that is costly to the healthcare system. We sought to evaluate factors associated with increased risk of readmission and to characterize the nature of these readmissions in patients who have esophageal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed in 306 patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by esophagectomy at Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1993 and 2011. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with 30-day readmission. Readmissions were defined as inpatient admissions to our institution within 30 days of discharge. RESULTS: The median age at surgery was 61 years; the median postoperative length of stay was 9 days; and 48% of patients had ≥1 postoperative complication (POC). The 30-day readmission rate was 13.7% (42 of 306). In univariate analysis, length of stay and having ≥1 POC were significantly associated with readmission. In multivariate analysis, having ≥1 POC was significantly associated with a >2-fold increase in risk for 30-day readmission (odds ratio 2.35, with 95% confidence interval [1.08-5.09], P = .031) when controlling for age at diagnosis and length of stay. Of the 42 patients who were readmitted, 67% experienced POCs after surgery; 50% of patients who experienced POCs were readmitted for reasons related to their postoperative complication. The most common reasons for readmission were pulmonary issues (29%), anastomotic complications (20%), gastrointestinal concerns (17%), and venous thromboembolism (14%). CONCLUSIONS: Complications not adequately managed before discharge may lead to readmission. Quality improvement efforts surrounding venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, and discharging patients nothing-by-mouth, may be warranted.
OBJECTIVE: Readmission after surgery is an unwanted adverse event that is costly to the healthcare system. We sought to evaluate factors associated with increased risk of readmission and to characterize the nature of these readmissions in patients who have esophageal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed in 306 patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by esophagectomy at Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1993 and 2011. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with 30-day readmission. Readmissions were defined as inpatient admissions to our institution within 30 days of discharge. RESULTS: The median age at surgery was 61 years; the median postoperative length of stay was 9 days; and 48% of patients had ≥1 postoperative complication (POC). The 30-day readmission rate was 13.7% (42 of 306). In univariate analysis, length of stay and having ≥1 POC were significantly associated with readmission. In multivariate analysis, having ≥1 POC was significantly associated with a >2-fold increase in risk for 30-day readmission (odds ratio 2.35, with 95% confidence interval [1.08-5.09], P = .031) when controlling for age at diagnosis and length of stay. Of the 42 patients who were readmitted, 67% experienced POCs after surgery; 50% of patients who experienced POCs were readmitted for reasons related to their postoperative complication. The most common reasons for readmission were pulmonary issues (29%), anastomotic complications (20%), gastrointestinal concerns (17%), and venous thromboembolism (14%). CONCLUSIONS: Complications not adequately managed before discharge may lead to readmission. Quality improvement efforts surrounding venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, and discharging patients nothing-by-mouth, may be warranted.
Authors: Yoyo Wang; Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang; Hao He; Josephine M Buchan; Deven C Patel; Douglas Z Liou; Natalie S Lui; Mark F Berry; Joseph B Shrager; Leah M Backhus Journal: J Thorac Dis Date: 2021-08 Impact factor: 3.005
Authors: Daan M Voeten; Leonie R van der Werf; Johanna W van Sandick; Richard van Hillegersberg; Mark I van Berge Henegouwen Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2020-10-26 Impact factor: 4.584