Frequency of and Risk Factors for Increased Healthcare Utilization After Pediatric Sepsis Hospitalization

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Healthcare Utilization
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Sepsis is a life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization.
• Understanding post-sepsis healthcare needs is crucial for patient management and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of increased healthcare utilization in children following sepsis hospitalization.
• To identify risk factors associated with elevated post-sepsis healthcare use.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational cohort study using the 2016-2019 MarketScan database.
• Included children (0-18 years) hospitalized for sepsis in the U.S.
• Compared healthcare utilization (outpatient, ED, inpatient) in the 90 days pre- and post-sepsis hospitalization.

Main Results:

• 30.9% of 2801 children had increased healthcare utilization post-sepsis.
• Median healthcare days increased from 3 pre-sepsis to 10 post-sepsis (p < 0.001).
• Risk factors for increased use included longer hospitalizations (>30 days) and complex chronic conditions (renal, hematologic/immunologic, metabolic, malignancy).

Conclusions:

• Almost one-third of children experience increased healthcare utilization within 90 days of sepsis discharge.
• Children with prolonged hospital stays and pre-existing complex chronic conditions face higher risks of post-sepsis healthcare utilization.
• Findings highlight the need for targeted post-discharge care strategies for vulnerable pediatric sepsis survivors.