2470. Readmission for Healthcare-Acquired Infections: Does Patient Disposition Matter?

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough common and preventable, healthcare-acquired infections (HAI) are associated with high risk for hospital readmission. This risk may increase when follow-up care is not provided. However, whether infection-related readmissions are more common in older adults discharged from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) vs. home or home healthcare is unknown.MethodsWe used 2013–14 national discharge data and logistic regression models to retrospectively examine the relationship of discharge disposition (home, SNF, home healthcare) with unplanned readmission for the same HAI observed at the index admission, among Medicare beneficiaries 65, controlling for patient sociodemographics, comorbidity score, and length of stay during index hospitalization.ResultsOf 318,134 index admissions involving HAI treatment, 158,682 (50%) were discharged to a SNF, 76,523 (24%) to home, and 82,929 (26%) to home health. Overall, 7,867 (2.5%) of index admissions involving treatment for an HAI resulted in a linked HAI readmission. HAI readmissions were more common for Clostridium difficile infections (4.0%) and urinary tract infections (UTI, 2.3%) than for ventilator-acquired pneumonia (1.4%) or surgical site infections (1.1%) (P < 0.001). Being discharged home or to home healthcare, compared with a SNF, was associated with increased odds (OR: 1.63, P < 0.001 for each) of HAI readmission. This was equivalent to a 1.2% lower risk of a linked HAI readmission for those discharged to a SNF compared with home or home healthcare. This risk difference was observed to increase with greater patient comorbidity scores.ConclusionWe conclude that Clostridium difficile and UTIs result in higher risk for readmission than other HAIs. Patients discharged to nursing facilities are protected from readmission. Further research into identifying modifiable mechanisms for HAI readmission, in order to improve post-hospital care of infection at home, is needed. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.