[Readmissions after lung resection in France: The PMSI database].

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Healthcare Quality
• Public Health

Background:

• 30-day hospital readmissions are key indicators of post-discharge care quality.
• Suboptimal care post-discharge often leads to readmissions.
• This study analyzes readmission rates and hospital performance over time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure the 30-day readmission rate for lung cancer patients undergoing major pulmonary resection in France.
• To track the number of hospitals with readmission rates exceeding the national average over time.
• To identify trends in readmission rates and hospital performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the PMSI national database to extract data on patients undergoing major pulmonary resection for lung cancer in France.
• Defined 30-day readmission as any new hospitalization within 30 days of discharge, regardless of the facility.
• Analyzed data from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2018.

Main Results:

• Included 110,603 patients; the overall 30-day readmission rate was 24.9%.
• Patients undergoing pneumonectomy had a higher readmission rate (37%) compared to lobectomy (23%) (P<0.0001).
• The number of hospitals exceeding national readmission benchmarks showed a slight decrease over the study periods.

Conclusions:

• 30-day readmissions following major lung resection for cancer in France showed minimal decline over the observed periods.
• Current readmission rates suggest a need for improved post-discharge care strategies.
• Implementing measures to prevent readmissions is crucial for enhancing patient care quality.