Tools lacking to assess readmission risks after joint replacement

Editor's Note

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and care providers lack the predictive models needed to assess risks for readmission after joint replacements, finds this study.

Researchers tested the applicability of the Carlson Comorbidity Index, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, and CMS Hierarchical Condition Category to see whether any made a difference in predicting where total joint patients would be discharged and whether they would be readmitted within 30, 60, or 90 days.

The analysis found that the three indices demonstrated weak discriminatory ability to predict discharge settings or hospital readmissions.

A new model or index is needed to accurately predict risk of readmission to help CMS judge hospitals on quality of care, the authors say.

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