Patient selection: otolaryngology patient discharged from hospital
Outcome: 30-day hospital readmission
Risk factors for readmission:
(1) major complication (odds ratio 11.6)
(2) new total laryngectomy (odds ratio 4.7)
(3) discharge to a skilled nursing facility (odds ratio 2.7)
(4) severe coronary artery disease or chronic lung disease (odds ratio 2.3)
(5) active illicit drug use (odds ratio 2.6)
where:
• The presence of both severe coronary artery disease and chronic lung disease would seem to warrant a higher risk than only one.
Major complications may include:
(1) surgical site infection
(2) wound dehiscence
(3) postoperative bleeding
(4) airway obstruction
(5) pneumonia or other respiratory complication
(6) venous thrombosis or thromboembolism
