Open AccessDischarge destination and readmissions among patients with head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Tucker Jacqueline,
Hollenbeak Christopher S.,
Goyal Neerav
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2378-8038
DOI - 10.1002/lio2.890
Subject(s) - medicine , odds ratio , head and neck cancer , logistic regression , retrospective cohort study , emergency medicine , hospital readmission , health care , cohort , demographics , cancer , demography , sociology , economics , economic growth
Objective Lowering hospital readmission rates is a national goal, and presents an opportunity to lower health care costs, improve quality, and increase patient satisfaction. We aim to assess whether discharge disposition is associated with readmission. Methods A retrospective cohort study using logistic regression to quantify risk factors of hospital readmission in patients with confirmed head and neck cancer (HNC) who underwent surgery from 2010 to 2018 contained in the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council database, which includes patients treated in Pennsylvania hospitals. Results The readmission rate in this study was 18.1%. Cancers of the hypopharynx had the highest rates of readmission (29.2%). Male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.75–1.00), emergent admission (vs. elective admission: OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02–1.74), discharge to home health (vs. home: OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.59–2.16), discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF) (vs. home: OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.80–2.72), and having 4+ comorbidities (vs. 0–1: OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.09–1.76) were significant risk factors for hospital readmission. Conclusion It is necessary to consider the readmission risk associated with HNC patients. Reasons for readmission are multifactorial and can be related to demographics, hospital course, comorbidities, or discharge disposition–this requires further assessment. There is importance in increasing HNC awareness and staff education about the unique needs of this population. Level of Evidence 4.