Characteristics and Readmission Risks Following Sepsis Discharges to Home

To examine the characteristics and risk factors associated with 30-day readmissions, including the impact of home health care (HHC), among older sepsis survivors transitioning from hospital to home.

Retrospective cohort study of the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV data (2008-2019), using generalized estimating equations (GEE) models adjusting for patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Sepsis admission episodes with in-hospital stays, aged over 65, and discharged home with or without HHC were included.

The outcome was all-cause hospital readmission within 30 days following sepsis hospitalization. Covariates, including the primary predictor (HHC vs. Home discharges), were collected during hospital stays.

Among 9115 sepsis admissions involving 6822 patients discharged home (66.8% HHC, 33.2% Home), HHC patients, compared with those discharged without services, were older, had more comorbidities, longer hospital stays, more prior hospitalizations, more intensive care unit admissions, and higher rates of septic shock diagnoses. Despite higher illness severity in the HHC discharges, both groups had high 30-day readmission rates (30.2% HHC, 25.2% Home). GEE analyses revealed 14% higher odds of 30-day readmission for HHC discharges after adjusting for risk factors (aOR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02-1.27; P=0.02).

HHC discharges experienced higher 30-day readmission rates than those without, indicating the need for specialized care in HHC settings for sepsis survivors due to their complex health care needs. Attention to sepsis survivors, regardless of HHC receipt, is crucial given the high readmission rates in both groups. Further research is needed to optimize postacute care/interventions for older sepsis survivors.