title: Readmission Rates in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Granular Analysis?
abstract: A deeper understanding of readmissions in arthroplasty is warranted. We wanted to determine in primary THA patients: readmission rates; baseline characteristics of patients with/without readmissions; and readmission reasons. 201 consecutive patients were studied. Preoperative characteristics, patient-perceived-outcomes, and hip-scores were compared between patients with and without readmissions. Rates were 1% (readmitted n=2; 15-days), 3.5% (7; 30-days), 6.5% (13; 90-days), and 16.9% (34; 1-year). Readmitted patients had significantly worse preoperative comorbidities/outcome-scores when compared to non-readmitted patients. "Surgical-site infection" was the most frequent readmission reason within 30/90days. Within 1year, it was another elective joint. Fifty percent of readmissions were not related to the index-surgery (15-days). Preoperative health status affects rates. Many rehospitalizations are not related to the index-surgery and probably unpreventable.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Advanced Orthopedics at Larkin Hospital, South Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: Carlos J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lavernia
authors.affiliation: The Center for Advanced Orthopedics at Larkin Hospital, South Miami, Florida; Arthritis Surgery Research Foundation, South Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: Jesus M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Villa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare; D008875:Middle Aged; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
keywords: granularity; primary; quality metrics; readmissions; total hip arthroplasty