Readmissions after nonoperative trauma: Increased mortality and costs with delayed intervention

We sought to examine patterns of readmission after nonoperative trauma, including rates of delayed operative intervention and mortality.

The Nationwide Readmissions Database (2013-2014) was queried for all adult trauma admissions and 30-day readmissions. Index admissions were classified as operative (OI) or nonoperative (NOI), and readmissions examined for major operative intervention (MOR). Multivariable regression modeling was used to evaluate risk for readmission requiring MOR and in-hospital mortality.

Of 2,244,570 trauma admissions, there were 59,573 readmissions: 66% after NOI, and 35% after OI. Readmission rate was higher after NOI compared with OI (3.6% vs. 1.7% p < 0.001). Readmitted NOI patients were older, with a higher proportion of Injury Severity Score ≥15 and were readmitted earlier (NOI median 8 days vs. OI 11 days). Thirty-one percent of readmitted NOI patients required MOR and experienced higher overall mortality compared with OI patients with operative readmission (NOI 2.9% vs. OI 2%, p = 0.02). Intracranial hemorrhage was an independent risk factor for NOI readmission requiring MOR in both the overall (hazard ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.22) and Injury Severity Score of 15 or greater cohorts (hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.24-1.7), with a predominance of nonspine neurosurgical procedures (20.3% and 55.1%, respectively). Operative readmission after NOI cost a median of $17,364 (interquartile range, US $11,481 to US $27,816) and carried a total annual cost of US $147 million (95% CI, US $141 million to $154 million).

Nonoperative trauma patients have a higher readmission rate than operative index patients and nearly one third require operative intervention during readmission. Operative readmission carries a higher overall mortality rate in NOI patients and together accounts for nearly US $150 million in annual costs.

Epidemiological, level III.