Readmissions after pediatric cardiac surgery : An institutional experience from a tertiary care children's hospital

Abstract

Background: Readmission after operations for congenital heart defects has significant implications for patient care and finances. Approximately 10% to 20% of children are readmitted after congenital heart surgery. Objectives: To determine the rate and risk factors for readmission post discharge after pediatric cardiac surgery. Methods: 150 patients who underwent surgical operations for congenital heart conditions and discharged were analysed when they required readmission to hospital. Readmission was defined as ‘admission to any hospital within 30 days after discharge after index hospitalization due to any cause’. To identify the risk factors preoperative, operative and post-operative factors were evaluated. Univariate comparisons analyses between readmission and No-readmission groups and multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify potential risk factors for re-admission. Results: There were 39 (26%) re-admissions in 150 patients. The reasons for readmission were due to respiratory complications 12 (30%) followed by 9(22.5%) for infectious complications, 7(17.5%) each with cardiac and gastrointestinal complications each. ICU stay was significantly longer in readmitted children than compared to other group. The duration of antibiotic use during hospital stay was significantly higher in the readmission group as compared to the No-readmission group (p Conclusion: The incidence of readmission after surgery for congenital cardiac defects in children remains high. Efforts focussing on reducing the length of postoperative stay in the cardiac intensive care unit and the total duration of hospitalization may be beneficial.