Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Author Spotlight: A Multi-Depth Porcine Model for Comprehensive Study of Burn Injuries and Healing Processes
Published on: February 23, 2024
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 30-day readmission rates following burns
C Tapking1, A L Boson2, V G Rontoyanni3
1Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch and Shriners Hospitals for Children-Galveston®, 815 Market Street, Galveston, TX 77550, USA; Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Microsurgery, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwig-Guttmann-Str. 13, Ludwigshafen 67071, Germany.
Insights
Unplanned 30-day readmissions after burns are infrequent, with higher rates in adults than children. Common causes include infection, wound issues, and pain, though burn size is not a significant predictor.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Surgical outcomes
- Burn care management
Background:
- Unplanned hospital readmissions incur significant healthcare costs.
- Readmissions are a key focus for healthcare providers and insurers.
- Understanding readmission patterns post-burn is crucial for improving patient outcomes and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and identify the rate of unplanned 30-day readmissions following burn injuries.
- To determine the most common reasons for these readmissions in both adult and pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
- Searched PubMed, Web of Science, and CENTRAL databases without date or language restrictions.
- Pooled readmission rates and risk factors using random-effect models and reported odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.
Main Results:
- Eight studies were included in qualitative analysis, six in quantitative analysis (four adult, two pediatric).
- Overall 30-day readmission rates were 7.4% in adults and 2.7% in children.
- Common reasons for readmission included infection/sepsis, wound healing complications, and pain; burn size >20% TBSA was not a significant predictor in adults.
Conclusions:
- Unplanned readmissions following burns are generally low, with higher rates observed in adults compared to pediatric patients.
- Limited evidence suggests burn size is not a significant predictor of readmission.
- Further research into risk factors for unplanned readmissions is warranted to improve healthcare efficiency and patient care.
Introduction:
Unplanned hospital readmissions in surgical areas account for high costs and have become an area of focus for health care providers and insurance companies. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the rate and common reasons for unplanned 30-day readmission following burns.
Methods:
This study was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. Pubmed, Web of Science and CENTRAL databases were searched for publications without date or language restrictions. Extracted outcomes included 30-day readmission rate and reasons for readmission. Pooled 30-day readmission rate was estimated from weighted individual study estimates using random-effect models. Pooled estimates for risk factors are reported as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results:
A total of eight studies were included into qualitative analysis and six (four adults, two children) into quantitative analysis. The overall readmission rate was 7.4% (95% CI 4.1-10.7) in adults and 2.7% (95% CI 2.2-3.2) in children. Based on two studies in 112,312 adult burn patients, burn size greater than 20% total body surface area (TBSA) was not a significant predictor of readmission rate (OR 1.75, 95% CI 0.64-4.75; NS). The most common reasons were infection/sepsis, wound healing complications, and pain in both adults and children.
Discussion:
Unplanned readmissions following burns are generally low and appear more common in adults than in pediatric patients. However, only few studies are reporting on 30-day readmission rates following burns. Evidence is limited to support a significant association between greater burn size and higher readmission rates. Since cost effectiveness and utilized hospital capacity are becoming an area of focus for improvement in health care, future studies should assess the risk factors of unplanned readmission following burns. Follow-up assessments and outpatient resources, even if not underlined by this data, could reduce readmission rates.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO: CRD42019117649.
