title: Disparities in Discharge Destination After Lower Extremity Joint Arthroplasty: Analysis of 7924 Patients in an Urban Setting.
abstract: Discharge destination is an important factor to consider to maximize care coordination and manage patient expectations after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). It also has significant impact on the cost-effectiveness of these procedures given the significant cost of post-acute inpatient care. Therefore, understanding factors that impact discharge destination after TJA is critical.
  
  
  
  An evaluation of socioeconomic, geographic, and racial/ethnic factors associated with discharge destination to either home or institution (ie, rehabilitation, skilled nursing facility, and so forth) following joint arthroplasty of the lower extremity was conducted. We analyzed data on patients admitted between 2011 and 2014 for primary or revision hip or knee arthroplasty at a single institution. Bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques were applied to determine associations.
  
  
  
  Included in the analysis were 7924 cases of lower extremity joint procedures, of which 4836 (61%), 785 (10%), and 2770 (35%) were of female gender, low socioeconomic status, and nonwhite race/ethnicity, respectively. A total of 5088 (64%) and 2836 (36%) cases were discharged to home and institution, respectively. Significant predictors of discharge to an institution in the multivariate analysis include SES (low and middle SES [odds ratio {OR}: 1.27, 95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.02-1.57, P = .029; and OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.10-1.44, P = .001]), age (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.049-1.060, P < .001), female gender (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.52-1.89, P < .001) and TKA procedure (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.33-1.64, P < .001). Patients of nonblack race/ethnicity were more likely to be discharged home (white OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72-0.98, P = .027; other OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67-0.95, P = .009).
  
  
  
  Socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity are important factors related to discharge destination following TJA. Thoroughly understanding and addressing these factors may help increase the rates of discharge to home as opposed to institution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York; Department of Public Health and Policy, School of Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ifeoma A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Inneh
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Clair
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Slover
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iorio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: discharge destination; discharge disposition following TJA; disparities in joint arthroplasty; socioeconomic status; total joint arthroplasty