Postoperative Complications Drive Hospital Readmissions

A recent medical study has found that surgery patients with postoperative complications are the most likely to be readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, may help hospitals adopt plans to prevent complications and hold down readmissions.

The study involved an analysis of 1,442 patients who underwent general surgery between 2009 and 2011. Out those, 153 patients were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after being discharged. Patients who had one or more complications after their operations were four times more likely than those without complications to be readmitted within 30 days.

The researchers also found that specific types of surgical procedures were linked to higher rates of readmission. Gastrointestinal procedures were at the top of the list for hospital readmissions. Complications that developed at home seemed more likely to lead to readmission than complications developed in the hospital. Among the type of postoperative complications linked to higher readmission rates were pulmonary complications, urinary tract infections and wound infections.

The findings have implications for hospitals that want to improve patient safety and reduce expenses for hospitals, patients and insurance companies.

If you suffered an injury as a result of medical negligence in a hospital, let our Seattle medical malpractice attorneys evaluate your case and explain your options. Call us at (206) 752-4366 or use our convenient online form.