BACKGROUND: The postoperative period and subsequent discharge planning are critical in our continued efforts to decrease the risk of complications after THA. Patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have consistently exhibited higher readmission rates compared with those discharged to home healthcare. This elevated risk has been attributed to several factors but whether readmission is associated with patient functional status is not known.
QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: After controlling for relevant confounding variables (functional status, age, gender, caregiver support available at home, diagnosis [osteoarthritis (OA) versus non-OA], Charlson comorbidity index [CCI], the Area Deprivation Index [ADI], and insurance), are the odds of 30- and 90-day hospital readmission greater among patients initially discharged to SNFs than among those treated with home healthcare after THA?
METHODS: This was a retrospective, comparative study of patients undergoing THA at any of 11 hospitals in a single, large, academic healthcare system between 2017 and 2022 who were discharged to an SNF or home healthcare. During this period, 13,262 patients were included. Patients discharged to SNFs were older (73 ± 11 years versus 65 ± 11 years; p < 0.001), less independent at hospital discharge (6-click score: 16 ± 3.2 versus 22 ± 2.3; p < 0.001), more were women (71% [1279 of 1796] versus 56% [6447 of 11,466]; p < 0.001), insured by Medicare (83% [1497 of 1796] versus 52% [5974 of 11,466]; p < 0.001), living in areas with greater deprivation (30% [533 of 1796] versus 19% [2229 of 11,466]; p < 0.001), and had less assistance available from at-home caregivers (29% [527 of 1796] versus 57% [6484 of 11,466]; p < 0.001). The primary outcomes assessed in this study were 30- and 90-day hospital readmissions. Although the system automatically flags readmissions occurring within 90 days at the various facilities in the overall healthcare system, readmissions occurring outside the system would not be captured. Therefore, we were not able to account for potential differential rates of readmission to external healthcare systems between the groups. However, given the large size and broad geographic coverage of the healthcare system analyzed, we expect the readmissions data captured to be representative of the study population. The focus on a single healthcare system also ensures consistency in readmission identification and reporting across subjects. We evaluated the association between discharge disposition (home healthcare versus SNF) and readmission. Covariates evaluated included age, gender, primary payer, primary diagnosis, CCI, ADI, the availability of at-home caregivers for the patient, and the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) 6-clicks basic mobility score in the hospital. The adjusted relative risk (ARR) of readmission within 30 and 90 days of discharge to SNF (versus home healthcare) was estimated using modified Poisson regression models.
RESULTS: After adjusting for the 6-clicks mobility score, age, gender, ADI, OA versus non-OA, living environment, CCI, and insurance, patients discharged to an SNF were more likely to be readmitted within 30 and 90 days compared with home healthcare after THA (ARR 1.46 [95% CI 1.01 to 2.13]; p= 0.046 and ARR 1.57 [95% CI 1.23 to 2.01]; p < 0.001, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Patients discharged to SNFs after THA had a slightly higher likelihood of hospital readmission within 30 and 90 days compared with those discharged with home healthcare. This difference persisted even after adjusting for relevant factors like functional status, home support, and social determinants of health. These results indicate that for suitable patients, direct home discharge may be a safer and more cost-effective option than SNFs. Clinicians should carefully consider these risks and benefits when making postoperative discharge plans. Policymakers could consider incentives and reforms to improve care transitions and coordination across settings. Further research using robust methods is needed to clarify the reasons for higher SNF readmission rates. Detailed analysis of patient complexity, care processes, and causes of readmission in SNFs versus home health could identify areas for quality improvement. Prospective cohorts or randomized trials would allow stronger conclusions about cause-and-effect. Importantly, no patients should be unfairly "cherry-picked" or "lemon-dropped" based only on readmission risk scores. With proper support and care coordination, even complex patients can have good outcomes. The goal should be providing excellent rehabilitation for all, while continuously improving quality, safety, and value across settings.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.