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.
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