A study published in The Journal of Arthroplasty investigated the Hendrich Falls Risk Score's impact on predicting total joint arthroplasty patients' readmission at the time of discharge.
Here are five things to know:
1. Researchers aimed to determine if the Hendrich Falls Risk Score, a tool to identify patients at risk for inpatient falls, could accurately identify Medicare patients at risk for readmission after undergoing arthroplasty. The study didn't prioritize readmissions due to a fall over those that were due to other reasons.
2. Data from 2,437 Medicare patients who had undergone TJA of the hip or knee for osteoarthritis between 2011 and 2014 was analyzed. Each patient's pre- and post-operation Hendrich Fall Risk score was recorded.
3. Researchers mainly looked into hospital re-admission within 30 days of discharge.
4. Of the 2,437 TJA recipients, 226 scored six or higher on the Hendrich Fall Risk, meaning that they were more likely to have an unplanned readmission, were more likely to have a length of stay longer than three days and were less likely to be sent home right after discharge.
5. Researchers concluded that increased Hendrich scores after TJA are correlated with unplanned readmission. Hospitals with the Hendrich Falls Risk Score can identify these patients and plan their discharge accordingly.
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