A multidisciplinary protocol for general surgery patients reduced the 30-day unplanned readmission rate to 5.6% compared to a historical rate of 7.9% (P=0.03).
Cohort (n=874)
No
Does a multidisciplinary protocol reduce 30-day readmissions in patients undergoing general surgical procedures?
Implementation of a multidisciplinary post-discharge protocol significantly reduced 30-day unplanned readmissions following general surgery.
Effect estimate: 30% reduction
Absolute Event Rate: 5.6% vs 7.9%
p-value: p=0.03
INTRODUCTION: Unplanned readmissions in general surgery are an important quality indicator of patient care and are associated with increased costs to healthcare services. This study aims to implement a multidisciplinary protocol in a single institution in a tertiary referral hospital to monitor and reduce unplanned readmission rates. METHODS: A prospective cohort study using an institution-based protocol was conducted over an 18-month period including patients undergoing a general surgical procedure. The protocol included: (i) implementation of a surgical readmissions nurse-patient liaison; (ii) access to a surgical walk-in clinic; and (iii) early post-discharge phone contact. Data included demographic details, index procedure, hospital length of stay (LOS), and whether contact between patient/nurse occurred upon discharge. The primary outcome was the cause and rate of 30-day readmissions. Secondary outcomes were mortality, use of surgical clinic, emergency department presentations, and complications. RESULTS: After protocol implementation, 874 patients underwent a general surgical procedure, with 354 (49%) being male and an overall median age of 53.0 years (interquartile range: 36.0-67.0). The overall readmission rate was 5.6% (n = 49), with a median LOS after readmission of 4 days. Compared with historical pre-protocol ACS-NSQIP data, this reflects a 30% reduction compared to that of readmission rate of 7.9%, P = 0.03. CONCLUSION: The multidisciplinary protocol was efficacious in significantly reducing unplanned readmissions. Continued audits and monitoring of factors associated with readmissions are required to help design targeted projects that may lead to improved outcomes, lower costs, increased patient satisfaction, and better efficiency within our healthcare system.
Pham et al. (Mon,) conducted a cohort in General surgical procedure (n=874). Multidisciplinary protocol vs. Historical pre-protocol data was evaluated on Cause and rate of 30-day readmissions (30% reduction, p=0.03). A multidisciplinary protocol for general surgery patients reduced the 30-day unplanned readmission rate to 5.6% compared to a historical rate of 7.9% (P=0.03).