Risk Factors for Readmission of Patients with Amputation to Acute Care from Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2024

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Amputation is a major condition that requires inpatient rehabilitation. Some research has been conducted to explore the risk factors for readmission of patients from inpatient rehabilitation facilities to acute care hospitals. However, few studies have included patients with amputation in the study population.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for readmission of patients with amputation to acute care hospitals from an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING: An acute rehabilitation hospital associated with a community-based tertiary medical center.

PATIENTS: A retrospective review of 156 independent admissions of 145 patients from June 2019 to July 2022.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The study outcome measure was readmission to acute care from an acute rehabilitation unit.

RESULTS: Of the 156 independent admissions, the readmission rate was 19%(29/156). The most common cause of transfer was incision-site complications (9/29, 31%) including wound infection and wound dehiscence. Patients with amputation readmitted to acute care are more likely to be on dialysis(p < 0.001), have a longer length of stay in acute care before admission to the rehabilitation facility(p = 0.039), and lower Section GG score on admission(p < 0.001). Age, sex, ethnicity, amputation level and history of diabetes mellitus were not associated with acute care hospital readmission. The logistic regression model revealed that patients being on dialysis was the only significant risk factor predictive of readmission to acute care (odds ration[OR] 4.82, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that incision-site complications were the most common cause of disruption in inpatient rehabilitation via acute hospital readmission in patients with amputation. Being on dialysis was associated with a higher risk of readmission to acute care hospitals. Based on the results of this study, specific rehabilitation plans might be required for patients with amputation that carry certain risk factors to reduce rehospitalization to the acute care unit. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Publication Title

PM R

Volume

16

Issue

3

First Page

231

Last Page

238

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