Factors Associated With Unplanned 30-Day Readmissions After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Among US Hospitals

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a therapeutic strategy in the management of several hematological cancers. Limited data exist on the incidence and predictors of 30-day readmission after HCT.

To measure the incidence of and risk factors associated with 30-day readmission following HCT in the United States.

This cohort study examined patient data from the US population-based Nationwide Readmissions Database. All adults (age ≥18 years) who underwent autologous (auto-) or allogenic (allo-) HCT in US hospitals between January 1, 2012, and November 30, 2014, were included. The analysis was performed from June 2018 to February 2019.

The main outcome was 30-day readmission rates for auto-HCT and allo-HCT. Factors associated with readmission, including baseline demographic characteristics and disease- and hospital-related characteristics (including annual case volume), were measured.

A total of 28 356 index admissions for auto-HCT in 244 centers (191 low-volume, 38 medium-volume, and 15 high-volume centers) and 17 217 index admissions for allo-HCT in 211 centers (161 low-volume, 37 medium-volume, and 13 high-volume centers) were identified during the study period. The overall 30-day readmission rates were 11.6% for auto-HCT and 24.4% for allo-HCT. The odds of readmission were significantly higher in low-volume hospitals compared with high-volume hospitals (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.69; 95% CI, 1.08-2.64 for auto-HCT and aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.09-1.82 for allo-HCT) but comparable to medium-volume hospitals (aOR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.62-1.83 for auto-HCT and aOR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.90-1.57 for allo-HCT). Other factors associated with readmission for auto-HCT included younger age (aOR for age ≥50 vs <49 years, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68-0.98), female sex (aOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.06-1.36), disease type (aOR for other vs myeloma, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.06-1.77), and Elixhauser comorbidity index score (aOR for ≥20 vs 0, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.17-1.93). For allo-HCT, factors associated with readmission included disease type (aOR for acute lymphoblastic leukemia vs acute myelogenous leukemia, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.04-1.62), insurance (aOR for Medicare vs private, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02-1.36), and Elixhauser comorbidity index score (aOR for 1-9 vs 0, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.04-1.39). Infections, neutropenic fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common reasons for readmission for both types of HCT.

This study found substantial rates of readmission for both types of HCT and an inverse association between hospital HCT volume and 30-day readmission. These results may provide guidance when developing quality indicators and policies penalizing hospitals for HCT readmission.