Effect of hospital, patient factors on readmissions, mortality

Editor's Note

Patient level factors dominated the increased readmission risks after colorectal surgery at minority-serving hospitals, while hospital factors were less contributory, this study finds.

Patient factors accounted for 65% of the increase in odds for readmission, and hospital-level factors accounted for 40%.

Inpatient mortality was significantly greater at minority-serving hospitals, compared with nonminority serving hospitals (4.9% vs 3.8%).

Risk factors significantly associated with readmission and inpatient mortality included:

• Medicaid/Medicare insurance
• emergent surgery
• ostomy creation.

Low procedure volume also was significantly associated with increased odds for inpatient mortality.

Minority-serving hospitals have greater readmission rates after operative procedures including colectomy; however, little is known about the contribution of hospital factors to readmission risk and mortality in this setting. This study evaluated the impact of hospital factors on readmissions and inpatient mortality after colorectal resections at minority-serving hospitals in the context of patient- and procedure-related factors.