Factors influencing readmission patterns following radical cystectomy: An analysis of social determinants and discharge outcomes

Introduction and objectives

Radical cystectomy readmission rates remain high, with around 25% of patients readmitted to index and nonindex hospitals in 30 days. Nonindex readmissions have been associated with poorer outcomes, including longer lengths of stay and higher mortality rates. This study aimed to examine the associations of social factors (e.g., sex, race, socioeconomic status, insurance type, and resident location) on readmission to index versus nonindex hospitals and discharge disposition.

Methods

We conducted a population-based retrospective study using the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry (PCR) to identify patients diagnosed with nonmetastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy in Pennsylvania between 2010 and 2018. Readmitted patients were identified using the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council data (PHC4). The primary outcome was readmission location (i.e., index or nonindex hospital) following radical cystectomy. We used chi-square tests for categorical variables, Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables, multivariable logistic regression model to assess predictors of being readmitted to an index hospital and calculating the predicted probability of being admitted to an index hospital depending on discharge disposition.

Results

A total of 517 patients were readmitted within 30-days after radical cystectomy. The majority of readmissions were index readmissions (83%). Median readmission hospital stay was 4 days (interquartile range [IQR] 4) for index and 5 days (IQR 7) for nonindex hospitals, P = 0.01. Patients readmitted to index hospitals had fewer comorbidities (median weighted Elixhauser Comorbidity Index 2 (IQR 2)) and lived in urban areas (89%). Discharge with home care was associated with a higher odds of index readmission (odds ratio, [OR] 2.40; 95% confidence interval, [CI] 1.25–4.52).

Conclusions

Patients residing in urban areas and with fewer comorbidities were more likely to be readmitted to index hospitals than nonindex hospitals. Socioeconomic status and insurance type did not correlate with the type of readmission. Finally, being discharged with home health care was found to be a predictor of readmission to an index hospital.