J F Danino1, T Taylor2, C W Metcalfe2, S J Muzaffar3, A Sinha4. 1. Specialty Trainee 6. 2. Foundation Year 2 Doctor. 3. Specialty Trainee 4. 4. Consultant Surgeon in the Department of Otolaryngology, City Hospital, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham B18 7QH.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Since April 2011, all patient readmissions within 30 days have resulted in a financial penalty to the hospital trust, and therefore the responsible department. These costs may be substantial and potentially preventable. METHODS: A service evaluation of readmissions within 30 days of discharge, over a 12-month period (January-December 2012), was performed in the ear, nose and throat department of a district general hospital, and findings were used as a basis to suggest areas for potential quality improvement. AIMS: To determine the number of readmissions, causes of readmission and resulting costs, and to explore how these readmissions may be prevented. RESULTS: The departmental 30-day readmission rate over the study period was 3.12% (81/2606). The commonest causes of readmission (33.3%) were complications following tonsillectomy (27/81) such as pain, infection or bleeding. Over a third of these patients (30/81) were readmitted for less than 24 hours, with the average length of stay being less than 2.5 days. Financial implications: In 2011 the trust had 7526 emergency readmissions which were eligible for penalty within the 30-day time frame. This resulted in a loss of income of more than £60 000 to the ear, nose and throat department. CONCLUSIONS: Optimizing postoperative care and improving patient understanding of common complications may reduce readmission rates, thus limiting the financial burden on the trust. These areas could serve as a basis for future quality improvement projects.
INTRODUCTION: Since April 2011, all patient readmissions within 30 days have resulted in a financial penalty to the hospital trust, and therefore the responsible department. These costs may be substantial and potentially preventable. METHODS: A service evaluation of readmissions within 30 days of discharge, over a 12-month period (January-December 2012), was performed in the ear, nose and throat department of a district general hospital, and findings were used as a basis to suggest areas for potential quality improvement. AIMS: To determine the number of readmissions, causes of readmission and resulting costs, and to explore how these readmissions may be prevented. RESULTS: The departmental 30-day readmission rate over the study period was 3.12% (81/2606). The commonest causes of readmission (33.3%) were complications following tonsillectomy (27/81) such as pain, infection or bleeding. Over a third of these patients (30/81) were readmitted for less than 24 hours, with the average length of stay being less than 2.5 days. Financial implications: In 2011 the trust had 7526 emergency readmissions which were eligible for penalty within the 30-day time frame. This resulted in a loss of income of more than £60 000 to the ear, nose and throat department. CONCLUSIONS: Optimizing postoperative care and improving patient understanding of common complications may reduce readmission rates, thus limiting the financial burden on the trust. These areas could serve as a basis for future quality improvement projects.
Authors: Hoda Badr; Maximiliano Sobrero; Joshua Chen; Tamar Kotz; Eric Genden; Andrew G Sikora; Brett Miles Journal: Oral Oncol Date: 2019-02-11 Impact factor: 5.337
Authors: Paul S Myles; Mark A Shulman; Stephane Heritier; Sophie Wallace; David R McIlroy; Stuart McCluskey; Isabella Sillar; Andrew Forbes Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2017-08-18 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Carlos Miguel Chiesa-Estomba; Jon Alexander Sistiaga-Suárez; José Ángel González-García; Ekhiñe Larruscain Sarasola; Ariadna Valldeperes Vilanova; Xabier Altuna Journal: Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2021-08-04