Skilled nursing facility placement in hospitalized elderly patients with colon cancer

The current study sought to determine predictive risk factors and inpatient resource utilization associated with discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF) in hospitalized elderly patients with colon cancer.

Inpatient data from U.S. community hospital discharges from 2003 to 2011 was analyzed in a retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, National Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS). Subjects included hospitalized postoperative colon cancer patients over age of 65 (N = 98,797).

The proportion of elderly colon cancer patients discharged to a SNF increased by 16.67% from 2003 to 2011 (18-21%). Elderly patients discharged to a SNF had increased hospitalization costs (+$10,293.70, p < 0.01) compared to elderly colon cancer patients discharged home. Hospitalization predictive risk factors associated with SNF placement include age above 75 (OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 3.90, 4.25; p < 0.01), paralysis (OR, 3.60; 95% CI, 3.06-4.23; p < 0.01), length of stay (LOS) 10 days or more (OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 2.88-3.13; p < 0.01), psychoses (OR, 2.91; 95% CI, 2.56-3.32; p < 0.01), and neurological disorders (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 2.17-2.52; p < 0.01).

Despite increased costs and worse clinical outcomes associated with SNF placement, over 40% increase of hospital discharge to SNF should be anticipated from this population over the next 20 years. Neurologic and psychiatric comorbidities have significantly negative clinical impacts and increase the likelihood of colon cancer patients' discharge to a SNF.