Odds Of Readmission Research Articles

Racial, ethnic and language disparities in healthcare utilization in pediatric patients following tonsillectomy

ImportanceTonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States. However, there is little known about the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and language and how these factors influence post-tonsillectomy outcomes such as ED utilization and hospital readmission rates. ObjectiveTo examine disparities in emergency department (ED) utilization and hospital readmissions for post-tonsillectomy complications based on insurance status, patient race, ethnicity and language spoken. DesignThis was retrospective cohort over four years. SettingTertiary Care Children's Hospital. ParticipantsAll children (n = 10,215) who underwent tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy at a tertiary children's hospital from January 2015 to December 2018 were identified and included. There were no exclusion criteria. ExposureThe exposure of interest was tonsillectomy. Main outcomes and measuresOutcomes and variables of interest were defined prior to data collection. The primary outcome of this study was emergency department (ED) utilization defined as any ED or urgent care visit within 21 days of the tonsillectomy for surgery-related concerns. The secondary outcome of this study was readmissions following tonsillectomy. ResultsA total of 10215 pediatric patients (median age, 6 years; 5096 [50 %] male) who underwent tonsillectomy were included in the analysis. 13 % of patients presented to the ED with surgery-related complaints. Among English proficient patients, multi-racial patients were the only group with an elevated odds of ED utilization (OR:1.5, 95 % CI: 1.2, 1.9). Non-English language preference (NELP) patients of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian/Alaskan Native race/ethnicity also had elevated odds of ED use post-tonsillectomy compared to non-Hispanic White English proficient patients. Six percent of all patients had an unplanned hospital readmission. Asian patients with non-English language preference had 2.1 times the odds of readmission (95 % CI: 1.2, 3.6); and were disproportionately admitted for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Conclusionsand Relevance: Language disparities in ED use and readmission persist after adjusting for risk factors. Non-English language preference populations have a higher rate of ED utilization, especially for minor complications. Disparities may result from differential health literacy or predispositions to complications. Future directions include additional research on mechanisms and targeted interventions to increase education and access to language-appropriate resources.

Intravenous fluid therapy and hospital outcomes for vaso-occlusive episodes in children, adolescents, and young adults with sickle cell disease.

While intravenous fluid (IVF) therapy in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) admitted for a vaso-occlusive episode (VOE) can help reduce red blood cell sickling, clinical practice varies across institutions. We examined the relationship between IVF therapy and hospital length of stay (HLOS), as well as adverse events, such as acute chest syndrome (ACS), pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) transfer, and 28-day re-admission. This is a single-center retrospective analysis of SCD VOE hospitalizations between January 2015 and April 2020. Patients with SCD, age 0-30, with consecutive hospitalizations for VOE were included. For the first 3days of each admission, an "IVF ratio" was calculated by dividing actual IVF rate administered by weight-based maintenance IVF (mIVF) rate. A total of 617 hospitalizations for 161 patients were included. Mean HLOS was 5.7days, (SD 3.9), and mean IVF volume over the first 3days of admission was 139.6mL/kg/day (SD 57.8). Multivariate analysis showed that for each additional 0.5 times the mIVF rate, HLOS increased by 0.53day (p<.001; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.609-0.989), but there was no significant association between IVF therapy and adverse events. History of chronic pain was associated with increased odds of re-admission (OR 6.4; 95% CI: 3.93-10.52). Despite the theoretical potential for IVF therapy to slow down the sickling process, our findings suggest that increased IVF therapy was associated with prolonged HLOS, which places a burden on patients, families, and the health system.

Complications From Fat Grafting and Gluteal Augmentation in Outpatient Plastic Surgery: An Analysis of American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF, QUAD A) Data.

Gluteal augmentation with autologous fat grafting, colloquially referred to as Brazilian butt lift (BBL), is an increasingly common procedure with a highly reported complication profile. In this study we aimed to analyze the prevalence and characteristics of complications that accompanied these surgeries at ambulatory surgery facilities. Adults patients who experienced fat grafting complications from 2019 to 2021 were identified in QUAD A, formerly known as the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF, Highland Park, IL, USA), database. Patients and complications were analyzed based on sociodemographic, surgery-, and facility-specific variables with descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Overall, 436 fat grafting procedures with complications were reported to QUAD A, with an overall complication rate of 0.94%. Of these complications, 164 (37.6%) were confirmed to be from gluteal augmentation procedures. Notably, the number of gluteal augmentation with fat grafting complications decreased from the year 2019 (48) to 2020 (36), then nearly doubled from 2020 to 2021 (69). The majority of patients were female (96.7%), with a mean age of 42.0 years and a mean BMI of 28.3 kg/m2. Wound infection was the most commonly documented complication (22.3%). Of the patients who experienced complications, 35.9% presented to a hospital for their complications and 12.6% required reoperation. Four deaths were described. There was no association between sociodemographic or surgical variables and increased odds of readmission or reoperation (P > .05), except for increasing surgeon number and reoperation (P = .02). Gluteal augmentation accounts for a large proportion of complications from fat grafting procedures. Increased reporting requirements may aid in future determination of incidences of complications and improve patient safety.

Costs and Outcomes of Total Joint Arthroplasty in Medicare Beneficiaries Are Not Meaningfully Associated with Industry Payments.

Prior studies have demonstrated that industry payments affect physician prescribing patterns, but their effect on orthopaedic surgical costs is unknown. This study examines the relationship between industry payments and the total costs of primary total joint arthroplasty, as well as operating room cost, length of stay, 30-day mortality, and 30-day readmission. Open Payments data were matched across a 20% sample of Medicare-insured patients undergoing primary elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) (n = 130,872) performed by 7,539 surgeons or primary elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (n = 230,856) performed by 8,977 surgeons from 2013 to 2015. Patient, hospital, and surgeon-specific factors were gathered. Total and operating room costs, length of stay, mortality, and readmissions were recorded. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to identify the risk-adjusted relationships between industry payments and the primary and secondary outcomes. In this study, 96.7% of THA surgeons and 97.4% of TKA surgeons received industry payments. After multivariable risk adjustment, for each $1,000 increase in industry payments, the total costs of THA increased by $0.50 (0.003% of total costs) and the operating room costs of THA increased by $0.20 (0.003% of total costs). Industry payments were not associated with TKA cost. Industry payments were not associated with 30-day mortality after either THA or TKA. Higher industry payments were independently associated with a marginal decrease in the length of stay for patients undergoing THA (0.0045 days per $1,000) or TKA (0.0035 days per $1,000) and a <0.1% increase in the odds of 30-day readmission after THA for every $1,000 in industry payments. The median total THA costs were $300 higher (p < 0.001), whereas the median TKA costs were $150 lower (p < 0.001), for surgeons receiving the highest 5% of industry payments. These surgical procedures were more often performed in large urban areas, in hospitals with a higher number of beds, with a higher wage index, and by more experienced surgeons and were associated with a 0.4 to 1-day shorter length of stay (p < 0.001). Although most arthroplasty surgeons received industry payments, a minority of surgeons received the majority of payments. Overall, arthroplasty costs and outcomes were not meaningfully impacted by industry relationships. Prognostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Association of Inpatient Palliative Care Consultation with Clinical and Financial Outcomes for Pancreatic Cancer.

Palliative care consultation (PCC) has been shown to improve quality of life and reduce costs for various chronic life-threatening diseases. Despite PCC incorporation into modern pancreatic cancer care guidelines, limited data regarding its specific utilization and impact on resource use is available. The 2016-2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database was used to identify all adult hospitalizations entailing pancreatic cancer. Only patients with at least one readmission within 90 days were included to account for uncaptured out-of-hospital mortality. Multivariable regression models were used to ascertain the relationship between inpatient PCC during initial hospitalization and index as well as cumulative costs, overall length of stay (LOS), readmission rate, and number of repeat hospitalizations. Of an estimated 175,805 patients with pancreatic cancer, 11.1% had inpatient PCC during the index admission. PCC utilization significantly increased from 10.5% in 2016 to 11.6% in 2020 (nptrend < 0.001). After adjustment, PCC was associated with reduced index hospitalization costs [β: - $1100; 95% confidence interval (CI) - 1500, - 800; P < 0.001] and cumulative 90-day costs (β: - $11,700; 95% CI - 12,700, - 10,000; P < 0.001). PCC was associated with longer index LOS (β: + 1.12 days, 95% CI 0.92-1.31, P < 0.001) but significantly reduced cumulative LOS (β: - 3.16 days; 95% CI - 3.67, - 2.65; P < 0.001). Finally, PCC was linked with decreased odds of 30-day nonelective readmission (AOR: 0.48, 95% CI 0.45-0.50, P < 0.001). PCC was associated with decreased costs, readmission rates, and number of hospitalizations among patients with pancreatic cancer. Directed strategies to increase utilization and reduce barriers to consultation should be implemented to encourage practitioners to maximize inpatient PCC referral rates.

Readmission rates in HIV-associated burkitt lymphoma patients in the USA: a nationwide readmission database (NRD) analysis

BackgroundPeople with human immunodeficiency virus have an increased risk of developing AIDS-defining malignancies including Burkitt lymphoma. Survival outcomes in HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma remain worse than non-HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma, despite widespread implementation of antiretroviral therapy. We aimed to determine the association between HIV status and risk for 30-day and 90-day readmission in the US after index hospitalization for Burkitt lymphoma.MethodsData were abstracted from the 2010–2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database; hospitalizations included patients with a primary BL diagnosis and were stratified by comorbid HIV. The primary outcome was all-cause readmission (30-day and 90-day). Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and hospital cost. Between-HIV differences were evaluated via logistic and log-normal regression; multivariable models adjusted for comorbid kidney disease, hypertension, fluid and electrolyte disorders, and sepsis.ResultsOverall, there were 8,453 hospitalizations for BL and 6.0% carried an HIV diagnosis. Of BL hospitalizations, 68.4% were readmitted within 30-days post index BL hospitalization and 6.8% carried a HIV diagnosis. HIV-associated BL was associated with 43% higher adjusted odds of 30-day readmission (aOR 95% CI: 4% higher to 97% higher, p = 0.026). For 90-day readmission, 76.0% of BL patients were readmitted and 7.0% carried a HIV diagnosis. HIV-associated BL was not statistically associated with all-cause 90-day readmission (aOR 1.46, aOR 95% CI: 0% higher to 115% higher, p = 0.053).ConclusionsHIV-positive status is associated with an increased risk for 30-day readmission after index hospitalization for Burkitt lymphoma.

EPID-22. AN INTEGRATED, MULTI-DATABASE ANALYSIS OF THE SAFETY OF BENIGN MENINGIOMA RESECTION IN OCTOGENARIANS

Abstract OBJECT Given that multiple co-morbidities are present in up to 80% of octogenarians, resection of benign tumors, such as meningiomas, is a challenging proposition, especially in the context of frailty naturally associated with aging. Here, we characterized the patterns of clinical practice, morbidity, and mortality associated with benign meningioma resection for octogenarian using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End RESULTS (SEER), SEER-Medicare (SEER-M), National Cancer Database (NCDB), and National Readmission Database (NRD). METHODS Logistic regression, propensity-score matching (PSM)-method (covariates balanced using PSM: socio-demographics, facility features, and comorbidities), and accelerated failure time (AFT) models. RESULTS In SEER, the adjusted odds ratios of recommendation for surgery were 0.59 (95%CI=0.53-0.66, p&amp;lt; 0.001) and 0.17 (95%CI=0.15-0.21, p&amp;lt; 0.001) for benign meningioma patients age 60-79 and &amp;gt; 80, relative to patients age 40-59. Expectedly, the hazard of death increased with advancing aging strata in patients who underwent meningioma resection. However, in independent analyses of NCDB and SEER-M, likelihood of death after benign meningioma resection was not significantly elevated in patients age &amp;gt; 80 relative to age- and PSM-matched patient cohorts. In the NRD, age &amp;gt; 80 was associated with increased odds of 90-day medical readmission after meningioma resection (OR: 1.63, 95%CI=1.33-1.99) but not 90-day neurologic readmission (OR: 1.02, 95%CI:0.76-1.37) relative to age 40-59. CONCLUSION We found no increased risk for patients age &amp;gt; 80 who were selected for and underwent resection in terms of mortality and 90-day neurologic readmission risk. However, the octogenarians have a higher risk of 90-day medical readmission. These findings suggest that neurosurgeons, in general, exert sound judgment in the selection of elderly patients for benign meningioma resections.

Prevalence of hospital-associated infections and its association with discharge destinations and hospital readmissions in Brussels, Belgium, from 2008 to 2020: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study.

To examine time trends of hospital-associated infections (HAIs) in people living in the Brussels-Capital Region, and to evaluate the consequences for hospitals and long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Cross-sectional analyses of yearly hospital administrative data. All Belgian hospitals and discharge destinations, focusing on LTCFs. All individuals from the Brussels-Capital Region hospitalized for >1 day throughout Belgium between 2008 and 2020 (N = 1,915,572). We calculated HAI prevalences and then, adjusting for confounders, the odds of being discharged to a LTCF or being readmitted within 30 days postdischarge after an HAI. HAIs included hospital-associated bloodstream infections, hospital-associated urinary tract infections, hospital-associated pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical-site infections. Between 2008 and 2020, we identified 77,004 HAIs. Changes in time trends occurred. We observed a decrease of all HAIs from 2012 to 2014 from 5.17% to 2.19% (P < .001) and an increase from 2019 to 2020 from 3.38% to 4.06% (P < .001). Among patients with HAIs, 24.36% were discharged to LTCFs and 13.51% underwent early readmission. For stays ≥4 days, HAIs were associated with higher odds of LTCF discharge (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-1.28), but with lesser odds of early readmission (aOR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.85-0.90). Administrative data can be useful to detect HAIs trends, but they seem to underestimate the burden compared to surveillance systems. Risk factors of readmission should be identified during hospital stays to ensure continuity of care. Considering the results from 2020 coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, monitoring the impact of HAIs should continue.

SURG-17. COMPARABLE SAFETY PROFILE BETWEEN NEURO-ONCOLOGY PROCEDURES INVOLVING STEREOTACTIC NEEDLE BIOPSY (SNB) FOLLOWED BY LASER INTERSTITIAL THERMAL THERAPY (LITT) AND LITT ALONE PROCEDURES

Abstract INTRODUCTION Tissue diagnosis through stereotactic needle biopsy (SNB) is often needed prior to laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT). Whether these procedures should be performed in the same surgery or in separate surgeries remain unclear. As a first step to address this question, we assess safety profile of procedures involving LITT alone versus SNB+LITT. METHODS Using International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes, we queried the National Readmissions Database (NRD, 2010-2018) for malignant brain tumor patients who underwent either 1) LITT alone or 2) elective LITT in combination with SNB (SNB+LITT). Survey regression methods were utilized. Additionally, the procedural outcome of LITT or SNB+LITT performed by the senior surgeon (2014-2022) were reviewed. RESULTS During the study period, an estimated 678 malignant brain tumor patients underwent LITT alone versus 373 patients that underwent SNB+LITT. Patients undergoing LITT and SNB+LITT exhibited statistically comparable median lengths of hospital stay (IQR; LITT = 2 day [1, 3]; SNB+LITT = 1 day [1, 3]; p = 0.405) and likelihood of routine discharge (LITT = 73.5%; SNB+LITT = 81.1%; p = 0.068). the odds of 30-day medical or neurological readmissions were comparable between LITT and SNB+LITT treated patients (all p ≥ 0.793) In the single surgeon experience of 218 procedures performed over an eight year period (2014-2022), the complications (LITT = 3.9%; SNB+LITT = 2.6%, p = 0.709), discharge within 48 hours (LITT = 84.5%; SNB+LITT = 87.8%; p = 0.556), routine discharge (LITT = 91.3%; SNB+LITT = 93.9%; p = 0.604), and unplanned 30-day readmission (LITT = 3.9%; SNB+LITT = 1.7%; p = 0.423) were similarly comparable between LITT and SNB+LITT. The most common complications were: hemorrhage (n = 3) and LITT-associated edema (n = 3) followed by hydrocephalus (n = 1). Of the 115 patients who underwent SNB+LITT, the frozen pathology diagnosis was revised on final pathology in two patients (2/115 or 1.7%). CONCLUSION The length of hospital stay, the likelihood of routine discharge, and 30-day readmission for malignant brain tumor patients who underwent LITT and SNB+LITT were comparable.

Emergency department use after outpatient thyroidectomy across three states

BackgroundAlthough outpatient thyroidectomy has become common, few large-scale studies have examined post-thyroidectomy emergency department use, readmission, and encounters not resulting in readmission, known as “treat-and-release” encounters. We evaluated post-outpatient thyroidectomy emergency department use and readmission and characterized associated factors. MethodsUsing the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project databases, we identified adult outpatient (same-day or <24-hour discharge) thyroidectomies performed in Florida, Maryland, and New York from 2016 to 2017. We identified the procedures linked with emergency department treat-and-release encounters and readmissions within 30 days postoperatively and the factors associated with post-thyroidectomy emergency department use and readmission. ResultsOf the 17,046 patients who underwent outpatient thyroidectomy at 374 facilities, 7.5% had emergency department treat-and-release encounters and 2.3% readmissions. The most common reasons for emergency department treat-and-release encounters (9.9%) and readmissions (22.2%) were hypocalcemia–related diagnoses. Greater odds of treat-and-release were associated with identifying as non-Hispanic Black (adjusted odds ratio: 1.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.3–1.8) or Hispanic race/ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.6), having Medicaid insurance (adjusted odds ratio: 2.7, 95% CI: 2.3–3.2), and living in non-metropolitan areas (adjusted odds ratio: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.2). We observed no associations between these factors and the odds of readmission. ConclusionEmergency department use after outpatient thyroidectomy is common. Racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities are associated with treat-and-release encounters but not readmissions. Standardization of perioperative care pathways, focusing on identifying and addressing specific issues in vulnerable populations, could improve care, reduce disparities, and improve patient experience by avoiding unnecessary emergency department visits after outpatient thyroidectomy.

Outcomes for Arthroplasties in Military Health: A Retrospective Analysis of Direct Versus Purchased Care.

The Department of Defense is reforming the military health system where surgeries are increasingly referred from military treatment facilities (MTFs) with direct care to higher-volume civilian hospitals under purchased care. This shift may have implications on the quality and cost of care for TRICARE beneficiaries. This study examined the impact of care source and surgical volume on perioperative outcomes and cost of total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and total knee arthroplasties (TKAs). We examined TRICARE claims for patients who underwent THA or TKA between 2006 and 2019. The 30-day readmissions, complications, and costs between direct and purchased care were evaluated using the logistic regression model for surgical outcomes and generalized linear models for cost. We included 71,785 TKA and THA procedures. 11,013 (15.3%) were performed in direct care. They had higher odds of readmissions (odds ratio, OR 1.29 [95% CI, 1.12-1.50]; P < 0.001) but fewer complications (OR 0.83 [95% CI, 0.75-0.93]; P = 0.002). Within direct care, lower-volume facilities had more complications (OR 1.27 [95% CI, 1.01-1.61]; P = 0.05). Costs for index surgeries were significantly higher at MTFs $26,022 (95% CI, $23,393-$28,948) vs. $20,207 ($19,339-$21,113). Simulating transfer of care to very high-volume MTFs, estimated cost savings were $4,370/patient and $20,229,819 (95% CI, $17,406,971-$25,713,571) in total. This study found that MTFs are associated with lower odds of complications, higher odds of readmission, and higher costs for THA and TKA compared to purchased care facilities. These findings mean that care in the direct setting is adequate and consolidating care at higher-volume MTFs may reduce health care costs.

Abstract 17918: Provider Care Team Segregation and Ischemic Heart Disease Outcomes by Race

Background: Black patients have worse ischemic heart disease (IHD) outcomes than White patients. How healthcare provider team segregation, dissimilarity/distinctiveness in the composition of provider teams caring for Black vs White patients within a hospital, contributes to racial inequities in IHD outcomes is unclear. Methods: Using Optum’s de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart of commercial and Medicare beneficiaries, we identified non-Hispanic Black and White patients with an admission diagnosis of IHD from 2010-2018. We calculated the Segregation Index (SI, 0 - 1; 0 for similarity/complete overlap; 1 for lack of similarity/overlap in the composition of provider teams caring for Black vs White patients). Hospitals were stratified into tertiles with increasing dissimilarity between provider care teams [low (0.16-0.38), medium (≥0.39-0.48), and high (≥0.49-0.97)]. For 30-day readmission, we used generalized linear mixed-effects models including effects of race, SI tertile, race-SI, gender, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, and hospital factors including effects of cardiology care, 2-way, and 3-way interactions of race, SI, and cardiology care. Results: Among 183,165 patients with IHD, odds of 30-day readmission were similar by race across SI tertiles in the absence of cardiology care. With cardiology care, Black patients in low and medium SI tertiles had higher odds of 30-day readmission than White patients [low: OR 1.08 (95% CI 1.02 - 1.13); medium: OR 1.12 (95% CI 1.04 - 1.21)] but not the high SI tertile [OR 1.03 (95% CI 0.93 - 1.14)] ( Figure ). Conclusions: Among patients with IHD seen by a cardiologist, for 30-day readmission there was a significant racial disparity in favor of White patients seen at hospitals with lower levels of provider team segregation. Further research is needed to investigate the causes of this disparity, which may be related to preferential selection of cardiologists among commercial and Medicare insured populations.

Abstract 18199: Relationship Between Hospital Care Team Segregation Index and Cardiovascular Care for Black and White Patients

Background: High levels of hospital health care team segregation has been associated with worse outcomes for Black patients. We sought to determine whether hospital level segregation index (SI, degree of dissimilarity between composition of teams that care for Black versus White patients) was associated with care by a cardiologist, 30-day readmission, and 1-year survival for Black versus White patients with heart failure (HF). Methods: Using Optum’s de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database, for commercial and Medicare plans, we examined SI among Black and White patients admitted with primary diagnosis of HF from 2010-2018. Hospitals were stratified into three SI groups based on tertiles from least to most segregated hospital teams. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate each outcome including effects of race, SI, race by SI as well as gender, age-adjusted Charlson Comborbidity Index, and hospital factors. For 30-day readmission and 1-year survival, we included effects of cardiology care, 2 and 3-way interactions of race, SI, and cardiology care. Results: Among 119, 272 patients, Black patients were less likely to be seen by a cardiologist compared to White patients across SI tertiles, particularly medium SI hospitals (OR 0.833, 95% CI 0.770-0.902). There was no significant difference in odds of readmission between races across hospital SI levels and whether seen by a cardiologist. For 1-year survival, the odds were significantly higher for Black patients compared to White patients across all SI levels ( Figure ). Conclusion: Black patients with commercial or Medicare insurance were less likely to be seen by a cardiologist for HF care than White patients across SI levels, particularly medium SI. Hospital SI levels did not demonstrate a consistent relationship between 30-day readmission and 1-year survival. Figure .

Abstract 12299: Sex Differences in the Outcomes of Patients With Heart Failure Undergoing Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: There is a lack of data on the impact of sex on the outcomes of patients with heart failure (HF) undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that outcomes of patients with HF undergoing AF ablation differ between males and females and tested this hypothesis using data from a nationally representative sample of the US population. Methods: The National Readmissions Database (NRD) was analyzed from 2016-2019 to identify patients ≥ 18 years old undergoing AF ablation. Patients were then divided into two cohorts based on their sex. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to adjust for confounders. Results: A total of 21,439 patients with HF underwent AF ablation between 2016-2019, of which 8,103 had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) [64.8% were females], and 13,336 had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) [38.4% were females]. Crude outcomes are shown in Figure 1. After multivariate adjustment, among patients with HFrEF, females had a longer length of stay (adjusted mean difference (aMD): 0.55 (0.16-0.93) days longer, p&lt;0.01) along with lower odds of routine home discharge (adjusted odds ratio (aOR):0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI):0.55-0.70; p&lt;0.01). Females had similar odds of in-hospital mortality, procedural complications, and 30-day/ 180-day all-cause, heart failure, and arrhythmia-related readmissions as compared to males. Among patients with HFpEF, females had higher odds of 30-day (aOR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.24-2.93; p&lt;0.01) and 180-day heart failure readmissions (aOR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.04-2.28; p=0.03) along with lower odds of routine home discharge (aOR:0.67; 95% CI: 0.57-0.78; p&lt;0.01), as compared to males. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results show that females with HFrEF undergoing AF ablation have similar odds of in-hospital/30-day/180-day outcomes whereas females with HFpEF have higher odds of 30-day/180-day HF readmissions, as compared to males.

Abstract 12699: Impact of Mode of Delivery on Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Pregnant Patients With Heart Failure or Pulmonary Hypertension

Introduction: Despite the existing guidelines, data on maternal, fetal, and obstetric outcomes associated with various modes of delivery in pregnant patients with heart failure (HF) or severe pulmonary hypertension (pHTN) is limited. Methods: This retrospective population based cohort study used Nationwide Readmission Database to identify all hospitalized pregnant patients who were primarily admitted for vaginal or cesarean delivery from 2011 to 2019. Pregnant patients with HF or pHTN were identified. Primary outcomes were inhospital maternal and fetal mortality. Result: 23,359 hospitalized pregnant patients with HF or pHTN were identified. Cesarean deliveries were performed more than vaginal deliveries (66.2% vs. 33.8%). Patients undergoing cesarean delivery had lower odds of fetal mortality [OR: 0.18 (0.07-0.45), p&lt;0.001] and postpartum hemorrhage than vaginal delivery. However, the odds of in-hospital maternal mortality [OR: 2.0 (1.07-3.77), p=0.03], ACS, and puerperal sepsis were higher in cesarean group than in vaginal delivery group. There were no differences in the odds of in-hospital stroke and DVT/PE between two groups. We found that 167 pregnant women would have to undergo cesarean delivery to have one inhospital maternal mortality (NNH=167), and 164 pregnant women would have to undergo cesarean delivery to prevent one fetal mortality (NNT=164). There were increased odds of all-cause readmissions within 6 months in patients who had cesarean delivery compared with those who had vaginal deliveries. There was no difference in risk of acute exacerbation of HF, readmission mortality, ACS, stroke, and DVT/PE between two groups at 6 months. Conclusion: In this retrospective multicentric cohort study, cesarean delivery was associated with lower fetal mortality but higher inhospital maternal mortality. Thus, unique features of each patient case should be considered via a multidisciplinary discussion before determining a preferred delivery method.

Abstract 12037: Impact of Age on Hospital Outcomes After Catheter Ablation for Ventricular Tachycardia

Background: Catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT) has been increasingly performed over the past decades. However, the real-world data on the safety profile of this procedure among elderly patients is limited. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the procedural outcomes and 30-day readmission among those aged 18-64 years versus those aged ≥65 years who underwent catheter ablation of VT. Method: Using the all-payer, nationally representative Nationwide Readmissions Database, our study included patients aged 18 years or older who underwent VT catheter ablation between 2017 and 2020. We divided the patients into non-elderly (18-64 years old) and elderly age groups (≥65 years old). We then analyzed the in-hospital procedural outcome and 30-day readmission between these groups. Results: Our study included 2075 (49.1%) non-elderly patients and 2153 (50.9%) elderly patients who underwent VT ablation. Following the procedure, elderly patients had significantly higher rates of prolonged index hospitalization (≥7 days) (35.5% vs 29.3%, p&lt;0.01), non-home discharge (13.4% vs 6.0%, p&lt;0.01), 30-day readmission (17.0% vs 11.4%, p&lt;0.01), and early mortality (5.5% v 2.4%, p&lt;0.01). The median cumulative cost of hospitalization was significantly higher in the elder groups ($40,230 vs. $37,612, p ≤0.01). There was no significant difference in the procedural complications between the two groups. Through multivariable analysis, the elderly group was associated with significantly higher odds of early mortality (OR: 7.50; CI 1.86 - 30.31, p=0.01), non-home discharge (OR: 2.41; CI: 1.93 - 3.00, p&lt;0.01) and 30-day readmissions (OR: 1.58; CI 1.32 - 1.89, p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: Our study suggests that elderly patients have poorer in-hospital outcome in early mortality, non-home discharge and 30-day readmissions following catheter ablation for VT. There was no significant difference between elderly and non-elderly groups in the procedural complications.

Abstract 12736: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Outcomes of Infective Endocarditis in Patients With Liver Disease in the United States

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is common in patients with liver disease. Data regarding IE in liver disease are limited. Hypothesis: We analyzed IE admissions to determine inpatient outcomes among patients with liver disease in the United States. Methods: We used the 2017 National Readmission Database to identify index admission of adults with IE, based on the International Classification of Disease, 10th revision codes. The primary outcome was 30-day readmission. Secondary outcomes were mortality and predictors of hospitalization readmission. Results: We identified 40,413 IE admissions. Figure 1 presents prevalence of variables associated with liver disease in this cohort. Patients who were readmitted were more likely to have a history of hepatitis C virus (19.4% vs 12.3%, p &lt; 0.001), hyponatremia (25% vs 21%, p &lt; 0.001), and thrombocytopenia (20.3% vs 16.3%, p &lt;0.001). After adjusting for age, hypertension, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and end stage renal disease, hyponatremia (odds ratio (OR): 1.25; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.17 to 1.35; p &lt; 0.001) and thrombocytopenia (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.24; p &lt; 0.001) correlated with higher odds of 30-day readmission. Mortality was higher among patients with hyponatremia (29% vs 22%, p &lt; 0.001), thrombocytopenia (29% vs 17%, p &lt; 0.001), coagulopathy (12% vs 5%, p &lt; 0.001), cirrhosis (6% vs 4%, p &lt; 0.001), ascites (7% vs 3%, p &lt;0.001), liver failure (18% vs 3%, p &lt; 0.001), and portal hypertension (3% vs 1.5%, p &lt; 0.001) (Figure 2). Conclusions: Important liver disease related variables correlate with higher risks of hospital readmission and mortality in patients with IE. Targeting such variables may improve outcomes in this patient population.

Abstract 14050: Association of Health Literacy With Hospital Readmission and Mortality After Heart Transplantation

Background: Higher health literacy is associated with lower risk of hospitalization and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Health literacy assessment is recommended in patients undergoing heart transplant evaluation, yet few data report health literacy status or its associations with post-heart transplant outcomes. Objective: To characterize health literacy among heart transplant recipients and investigate its associations with post-transplant hospital readmissions and mortality. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 513 patients (median age 57 years, 28% female, 27% Black) who underwent heart transplantation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center between 2015-2021. Health literacy was assessed using the validated 3-item Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS). Each item is on a 5-point Likert scale yielding a total score range of 3-15, with 15 indicating optimal health literacy. All cause readmissions post-transplant were ascertained from the electronic medical record (EMR). Vital status was determined through linkage with the Social Security death index or the EMR through March 2023. Ordinal logistic and Cox models adjusted for age at transplant, sex, race, body mass index, hypertension, dialysis at time of transplant, length of stay post-transplant, and wait list status at transplant were used to quantify associations between health literacy and readmissions or mortality, respectively. Results: The median BHLS score was 14 and 42% of patients had a score of 15. In the year following transplantation, 288 (56%) patients had 661 rehospitalizations. In the multivariable adjusted model, BHLS of 15 compared to any lower score associated with 29% lower odds of readmission (OR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.51, 0.99). Over a median 2.8 years (IQR 1.7, 4.9) follow-up, 90 individuals died. Health literacy was not associated with mortality (HR 1.10, 95% CI: 0.69, 1.73). Conclusions: At a high-volume heart transplant center, optimal health literacy was present in the minority of patients and associated with lower risk of post-transplant hospital readmissions, but neutral association with mortality. Screening for health literacy and providing transplant education that is clear and accessible at all literacy levels may improve post-transplant outcomes.

Hypercapnia in hospitalized children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa as a predictive marker for readmission: a prospective study

PurposeTo determine whether hypercapnia is associated with risk of hospital readmission related to anorexia nervosa (AN) in children and adolescents.MethodsWe performed a prospective study of patients ≤ 18 years old admitted due to AN decompensation from November 2018 to October 2019. Both subtypes of AN, restricting subtype (AN-R) and binge-eating/purging subtype (AN-BP), were included. Study participants were evaluated upon admission, at discharge and six months after discharge. T-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests was used to compare means values. Pearson or Spearman correlations were used to measure the association between two variables. Logistic regression models were developed to evaluate the relationship between scoring methods and readmission.ResultsOf the 154 persons admitted during the study period, 131 met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 15.1 years. At admission, 71% of participants were malnourished and 33 (25%) had been previously admitted.We observed a marked decrease in venous pH and stable pCO2 elevation during follow-up period. Hypercapnia at discharge was associated with a twofold increased likelihood of readmission and the odds of readmission increased as discharge pCO2 rose. These findings did not depend on AN subtype or participant sex. Electrolytes persisted within the normal range.ConclusionHypercapnia and respiratory acidosis are common alterations in children and adolescents hospitalized due to AN decompensation. Hypercapnia persists for at least 6 months after discharge despite clinical improvement and is associated with higher odds of readmission. This is the first study to identify an abnormal laboratory finding as a potential predictor of readmission in AN.Level of evidenceIV: Multiple time series without intervention.

Comparison of short-term outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic liver resection: a meta-analysis of propensity score-matched studies.

This meta-analysis aimed to compare short-term outcomes between robotic liver resection (RLR) and laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) using data collected from propensity score-matched studies. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched to collect propensity score-matched studies comparing RLR and LLR. Relevant data were extracted and analyzed. Odds ratios (ORs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed-effect or random-effect models. Meta-regression analysis was performed for primary outcome measures. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed for outcomes exhibiting high heterogeneity. Quality of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. Twenty-two propensity score-matched studies were included to comprise 5272 patients (RLR group, 2422 cases; LLR group, 2850 cases). Intraoperative blood loss (SMD=-0.31ml, 95% CI -0.48 to -0.14; P =0.0005), open conversion (OR=0.46, 95% CI 0.37-0.58; P <0.0001), and severe complications (OR=0.76, 95% CI 0.61-0.95; P =0.02) were significantly lower in the RLR group. Operation time, odds of use, and duration of Pringle maneuver, length of hospital stay, and odds of intraoperative blood transfusion, overall complications, R0 resection, reoperation, 30-day readmission, 30-day mortality, and 90-day mortality did not significantly differ between the groups. Further subgroup and sensitivity analyses suggested that the results were stable. Meta-regression analysis did not suggest a correlation between primary outcomes and study characteristics. The quality of evidence for the primary outcomes was medium or low, while that for the secondary outcomes was medium, low, or very low. Although some short-term outcomes are similar between RLR and LLR, RLR is superior in terms of less blood loss and lower odds of open conversion and severe complications. In the future, RLR may become a safe and effective replacement for LLR.