Key result
Early discharge (median length of stay ≤ 5 days) did not significantly increase risk-adjusted 30-day readmission rates compared to usual length of stay (16.3% vs 15.7%, P=0.077).
Why the study?
Does a pattern of early discharge (median length of stay ≤ 5 days) increase 30-day hospital readmission rates in patients 65 and older undergoing colectomy for cancer?
Observational (n=477,461)
Yes
Does a pattern of early discharge (median length of stay ≤ 5 days) increase 30-day hospital readmission rates in patients 65 and older undergoing colectomy for cancer?
Absolute Event Rate: 16.3% vs 15.7%
p-value: p=0.077
Early discharge (median length of stay ≤ 5 days) after colectomy for cancer in Medicare patients is safe and does not increase 30-day readmission rates, though very early discharge (≤ 4 days) does.
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Early discharge (≤5 days) after colectomy was not associated with higher readmissions in older adults; leaves open safety of very early discharge and need for prospective trials.
Hendren et al. (2011) conducted an observational in Colectomy surgery for cancer (n=477,461). Early discharge (median length of stay ≤ 5 days) vs. Usual median length of stay was evaluated on 30-day, all hospital readmission rates (p=0.077). Early discharge (median length of stay ≤ 5 days) did not significantly increase risk-adjusted 30-day readmission rates compared to usual length of stay (16.3% vs 15.7%, P=0.077).
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