title: PReventing early unplanned hOspital readmission aFter critical ILlnEss (PROFILE): protocol and analysis framework for a mixed methods study.
abstract: Survivors of critical illness experience multidimensional disabilities that reduce quality of life, and 25-30% require unplanned hospital readmission within 3 months following index hospitalisation. We aim to understand factors associated with unplanned readmission; develop a risk model to identify intensive care unit (ICU) survivors at highest readmission risk; understand the modifiable and non-modifiable readmission drivers; and develop a risk assessment tool for identifying patients and areas for early intervention.
  
  
  
  We will use mixed methods with concurrent data collection. Quantitative data will comprise linked healthcare records for adult Scottish residents requiring ICU admission (1 January 2000-31 December 2013) who survived to hospital discharge. The outcome will be unplanned emergency readmission within 90 days of index hospital discharge. Exposures will include pre-ICU demographic data, comorbidities and health status, and critical illness variables representing illness severity. Regression analyses will be used to identify factors associated with increased readmission risk, and to develop and validate a risk prediction model. Qualitative data will comprise recorded/transcribed interviews with up to 60 patients and carers recently experiencing unplanned readmissions in three health board regions. A deductive and inductive thematic analysis will be used to identify factors contributing to readmissions and how they may interact. Through iterative triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data, we will develop a construct/taxonomy that captures reasons and drivers for unplanned readmission. We will validate and further refine this in focus groups with patients/carers who experienced readmissions in six Scottish health board regions, and in consultation with an independent expert group. A tool will be developed to screen for ICU survivors at risk of readmission and inform anticipatory interventions.
  
  
  
  Data linkage has approval but does not require ethical approval. The qualitative study has ethical approval. Dissemination with key healthcare stakeholders and policymakers is planned.
  
  
  
  UKCRN18023.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Timothy S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salisbury
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Eddie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Donaghy
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ramsay
authors.affiliation: Usher Institute, Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Studies, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rattray
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Usher Institute, Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Nazir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lone
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH; REHABILITATION MEDICINE