A study in the Journal of Arthroplasty found that extended hospital stay for total joint replacement is associated with readmission risk.
The researchers identified 1,329 lower extremity total joint patients enrolled in CMS' Bundled Payments for Care Improvement program. They analyzed associations between hospital length of stay and 90-day readmission risk, while controlling for demographic factors like sex, age, comorbidities and discharge locations.
Here's what you need to know:
1. Hospital lengths of stay greater than four days were significantly associated with unplanned readmissions within 90 days.
2. For patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty, discharge to a location other than home was also significantly associated with unplanned readmissions within 90 days.
3. The researchers conclude that increased length of stay is a significant risk factor for unplanned readmissions; however, they emphasize that their findings were limited to the Medicare population.