Abstract

Abstract Objectives Malnutrition has a high prevalence among patients of Home-Based Hospital Care (HBHC) and can aggravate medical prognosis including early hospital readmission. The primary goal of this study is to determine whether malnutrition could be a predictive factor of patient readmission to HBHC occurring within 30 days of discharge. The secondary aims are to establish the number of hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge, and to identify nutritional indicators that predict readmission within 30 days. Furthermore, to determine the type, degree and risk of malnutrition in patients and to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional support in the patients who received it. Methods We performed an observational, cross-sectional study of the HBHC's patients of the University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova (HUAV) in Lleida, Spain, who were readmitted to the hospital or to the HBHC service after HBHC's discharge between June and December of 2018. We also collected a descriptive study and a bivariate analysis on the relationship between the survey data and the number of days until hospital readmission with a cut-off point at 30 days. Results Those who were readmitted after 30 days were statistically more likely to have a greater number of associated pathologies (2,20 (SD = 0,92) vs 1,16 (SD = 1,07); P value = 0012), especially, diabetes mellitus (5 (50,0%) vs 2 (10,5%); P value = 0030). Strong trends were seen between low serum albumin and lymphocytes levels and readmission within 30 days. Conclusions No statistically significant relationship was found between nutritional parameters and readmission rates due to the high prevalence of high and severe malnutrition in both groups (readmitted before and after 30 days). These findings reinforced the need to introduce a standard protocol such as screening with an easy and safe nutritional evaluation tool as well as the incorporation of a dietitian to HBHC. Funding Sources Home-Based Hospital Care section of the University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova (HUAV) in Lleida, Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida and University of Lleida.

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