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Fragmented Care in IBD Readmissions
Am J Gastroenterol; ePub 2018 Nov 12; Cohen-Mekelburg, et al
Fragmented care is prevalent among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) hospital readmissions and is associated with worse outcomes, a recent study found. The State Inpatient Databases for New York (NY) and Florida (FL) were used to identify 90-day readmissions among IBD inpatients from 2009 to 2013. The prevalence of fragmentation, defined as a readmission to a non-index hospital, was reported. Among the details:
- Among IBD patients, 25,241 and 29,033 90-day readmission visits were identified in NY and FL, respectively.
- The prevalence of fragmentation was 26.4% in NY and 32.5% in FL.
- Younger age, a non-emergent admission type, public payer or uninsured status, mood disorder, and substance abuse were associated with fragmented care.
- Female gender and a primary diagnosis of a IBD-related complication had an inverse association.
- Fragmented inpatient care is associated with a higher likelihood of in-hospital death and a longer readmission length of stay.
Citation:
Cohen-Mekelburg S, Rosenblatt R, Gold S, et al. Fragmented care is prevalent among inflammatory bowel disease readmissions and is associated with worse outcomes. [Published online ahead of print November 12, 2018]. Am J Gastroenterol. doi:10.1038/s41395-018-0417-9.