SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Understanding Preventable 7-Day Readmission Rates at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

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This retrospective cohort study examined potentially preventable 7-day unplanned readmissions among solid tumor patients admitted to the hospital medicine service at MD Anderson Cancer Center from September 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021. Patients were included if they were at least 18 years old and had a current or past history of cancer; those who left against medical advice or were discharged by another service were excluded. Each readmission was reviewed by at least two clinicians, with a third reviewer resolving disagreements.<br /><br />Among 138 readmission encounters, 22 (15.9%) were judged potentially preventable. Age 60 or older was significantly associated with potentially preventable readmissions. The most common contributing factors were premature discharge during the index hospitalization, missed goals-of-care discussions, inadequate outpatient follow-up, and discharge medication reconciliation errors.<br /><br />The authors note that potentially preventable readmissions may be reduced through institutional interventions targeting these recurring problems. However, the study also highlights limitations: there is no validated standard definition of “potentially preventable” readmission, reviewer agreement was not perfect, and the findings may not generalize beyond solid tumor patients on the hospital medicine service. The authors recommend larger studies to better identify modifiable causes and support targeted prevention strategies for the broader cancer population.

Asset Subtitle

Cerena Leung

Meta Tag

Author List Ali Zalpour, Cerena Leung, Christina Zhao, Daria Zavgorodnyaya, Ed Kheder, Eduardo Bruera, Heather Lin, Joanna-Grace Manzano, Justine Wang, Natalie C. Walton, Sonia Kondody

Category Research

Concept Readmission

Concept Preventability

Concept Oncology

Concept Premature Discharge

Concept Retrospective Cohort Study

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Presenting Author Cerena Leung

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

potentially preventable readmissions

solid tumor patients

retrospective cohort study

hospital medicine service

7-day unplanned readmission

MD Anderson Cancer Center

discharge medication reconciliation

goals-of-care discussions

outpatient follow-up

cancer readmission prevention

Readmission

Preventability

Oncology

Premature Discharge

Retrospective Cohort Study