Risk factors for inpatient facility admission among home health care patients with diabetes

Abstract

BackgroundHome health care (HHC) patients with diabetes are at high risk for inpatient admissions. PurposeTo identify variables associated with inpatient admissions among adults age ≥50 with diabetes receiving HHC in the community and in assisted living (AL). MethodsRetrospective HHC data (collected October 2021 to March 2022 in the Southern United States) from the Outcome and Assessment Information Set D were analyzed with logistic regression (n = 5,308 patients). DiscussionThe inpatient admission rate was 29.5%. For community-dwelling patients, multiple hospitalizations, depression, limited cognitive function, decreased activities of daily living (ADL) performance, and unhealed pressure ulcer or injury ≥stage 2 were significantly associated with inpatient admission. For those in AL, multiple prior hospitalizations and decreased ability to perform ADLs were associated with inpatient admission. ConclusionUnderstanding risk factors for inpatient admissions among patients with diabetes can support the identification of at-risk patients and inform interventions.