Eating Disorder Length of Stay and Readmission Rate Differences Depending on Payor Source

Eating disorders are a common diagnosis requiring hospitalization in children and adolescents. The purpose of this database study is to better define the pediatric population admitted to children's hospitals with eating disorders and to explore socioeconomic factors related to length of stay (LOS) and readmission.

This is a retrospective multicenter cohort study of patients aged 9-21 years discharged between January 1, 2016, through June 30, 2023, using the Pediatric Health Information System database and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition codes indicating eating disorders to evaluate demographic, clinical characteristics, LOS, and readmission rate in relationship to their payor source.

The study included 6806 encounters, with a median LOS of 7 days and a 14.3% 30-day readmission rate. There were no significant differences in LOS or readmission rates in relation to their primary payor source. Higher median household income was significantly correlated with longer LOS. There was a wide variation in the median LOS between hospital sites.

Although this study found no impact of payor source on LOS and readmission rate, this highlights the necessity to determine the systemic factors impacting the LOS and readmission rates. Community-level interventions are an area where further research is needed to guide both health care professionals and community leaders in resource allocation.