title: The Association of ASA Class on Total Knee and Total Hip Arthroplasty Readmission Rates in an Academic Hospital.
abstract: Total hip and knee arthroplasties are two of the most successful orthopaedic procedures. However, with the increasing demand, estimated future costs for these procedures are enormous. Recent data suggest post-discharge care may account for up to 35% of total episode payments. Yet, little is known about targets that can help improve quality and reduce cost. This retrospective study shows an ASA score of ≥ 3 is associated with a 2.9 times (P = 0.0082) greater risk of re-admission in total joint arthroplasty patients. The current literature corroborates this finding by demonstrating an increase risk of post-operative complications in patients with an ASA of ≥ 3. Therefore, the ASA score is a potential target for interventions designed to increase quality and lower cost in arthroplasty patients.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Box 3000, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Jordan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Schaeffer
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Box 3000, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Box 3000, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Jonathan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Godin
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Box 2887, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Attarian
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Box 3000, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Samuel S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wellman
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Box 2887, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Mather
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: ASA; clinical research; primary THA; primary TKA; readmission