Assessment of short readmissions following elective pulmonary lobectomy

Background: Reducing readmissions is critical for improving patient care and lowering costs. Despite this, few studies have assessed length of readmission following pulmonary lobectomy. Methods: Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project New York State Inpatient Database, we identified adult patients undergoing elective pulmonary lobectomy (2007–2015) and assessed readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge. We analyzed the relationship between length of readmission and post-operative morbidity and mortality as well as primary diagnoses at readmission. Results: Of 19947 included patients, 2173 (10.9%) were readmitted within 30 days. The median (IQR) length of readmission was 5 (2–8) days. Longer length of readmission was associated with significantly higher likelihood of major complication (for every 1-day increase, aOR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.12–1.17, p < 0.001) and mortality (aOR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.02–1.04, p < 0.001) within 90 days. Primary diagnosis codes at readmission differed significantly with length of readmission. Conclusions: Interventions that target short readmissions may help to prevent a proportion of readmissions following elective lung resection.