Osho et al reported factors impacting 30-day readmission for lung transplant recipients. If a risk factor is identified, then its management could reduce readmission. The authors are from Duke University.
Patient selection: lung transplant
Outcome: unscheduled 30-day readmission following discharge
Prevalence of 30-day readmission: 45%
Complications after transplant procedure included:
(1) sepsis
(2) pneumonia
(3) pulmonary embolism
(4) stroke
(5) atrial fibrillation
(6) respiratory issue (dyspnea, hypoxemia, pleural effusion, other)
Predictors from multivariate analysis:
(1) >= 1 post-transplant complication (OR 1.8)
(2) sepsis (OR 0.58)
Other factors from multivariate analysis:
(1) atrial fibrillation (OR 1.4)
(2) any infection (OR 1.4), including pneumonia (OR 1.5)
Prevalence of 30-day readmission without predictors was 36%, indicating that many other factors involved.
If the patient has an unscheduled 30-day readmission, then long-term survival is not negatively affected.
In summary, readmission is multifactorial, common and not a measure of care quality.
