ThTP5.11 The positive impact of our efficient Surgical Assessment Unit use on general surgery emergency readmission rates

Abstract

Abstract Aim Hospital readmission rates are a general indicator of quality of care, however these rates are currently variable nationally. Lowering these rates will not only alleviate the financial burden of the National Health Service but will improve patient outcomes. Our primary aim was to establish if implementing a senior-led Surgical Assessment Unit would reflect positively on reducing the rates of avoidable emergency readmissions within 30 days of discharge, in our General Surgery department at a district general hospital. Method We compared two 3-month cycles of all General Surgery emergency readmissions in our department within 30 days of discharge from June to August 2022 versus August to October 2021. Data of 361 patients in cycle 2 versus 389 patients in cycle 1 were collected and analysed to determine the readmission rates and to prevent the potential avoidable factors. Results A total of 6.6% of patients were readmitted with various surgical conditions, and the number of extra days of hospital stay totalled to 26 extra days collectively. This is compared to 11%, and 69 days respectively from the previous cycle. The main reasons for readmission were recurrences of the original problem (namely pancreatitis), and post-operative infections. Conclusion Overall, our implemented action plan has reduced the rate of emergency surgical readmissions by 4.4%. However, the main factors for readmissions remained similar. We will continue to provide an efficient use of the Surgical Assessment Unit and senior-led discharge to ensure we minimise the rates of surgical readmissions.