Predictors and outcomes of nonroutine discharge after hepatopancreatic surgery

Abstract

BackgroundData on predictors of nonroutine discharge among patients undergoing hepatopancreatic surgery remain poorly defined. We sought to define factors associated with nonroutine discharge to home with home health care or to a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility and determine the impact of discharge destination on outcomes after hepatopancreatic surgery. MethodsThe Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried for individuals who underwent hepatopancreatic surgeries 2010–2014 and were discharged home with home health care or to a skilled nursing facility/intermediate care facility. ResultsA total of 42,189 patients underwent hepatopancreatic surgery. Of those, 2,825 (6.70%) were discharged to a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility, whereas 10,925 (25.9%) were discharged with home health care. A majority of patients underwent major hepatectomy (N = 14,516, 34.4%) or minor pancreatectomy (N = 13,824, 32.8%). Compared with patients discharged home, patients discharged to a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility were older (median age: 60 years, interquartile range: 50–68 vs 73, 67–79) and had more comorbidities (median score: 3, interquartile range: 1–8 vs 4, interquartile range: 2–8; P < .001). Type of operative procedure was not associated with discharge to a skilled nursing facility versus with home health care. Rather, patients with extreme loss of function, based on preoperative assessment, had 2.76 times higher odds of discharge to a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility versus with home health care (odds ratio 2.76, 95% confidence interval 1.98–3.85). Similarly, older (odds ratio 1.06, 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.07) and female patients (odds ratio 1.37, 95% confidence interval 1.25–1.51) were more likely to be discharged to a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility versus with home health care. ConclusionOne in four patients undergoing hepatopancreatic surgery were readmitted within 90 days of surgery. Age, severity of comorbidities, and perioperative course, including incidence of complications, were associated with nonroutine discharge.