Key result
Between 2000 and 2015, the proportion of interhospital transfers for acute coronary syndrome increased from 10.5% to 20.1% (OR 3.81 for 2012-2015 vs 2000-2003), while 30-day rehospitalizations decreased from 9.0% to 2.7%.
Why the study?
Trends and factors associated with interhospital transfers and 30-day ACS rehospitalizations needed assessment in patients admitted with ACS.
Cohort (n=212,481)
Yes
Over a 15-year period, interhospital transfers for ACS increased significantly while 30-day rehospitalizations decreased, reflecting changes in referral networks and access to specialized care.
Observed ACS transfer rise with fewer rehospitalizations should not yet change referral practices; leaves open network effects on outcomes.
AIMS: Assess trends and factors associated with interhospital transfers (IHT) and 30-day acute coronary syndrome (ACS) rehospitalizations in a national administrative database of patients admitted with an ACS between 2000-2015. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cohort study of patients hospitalized with ACS from 2000 to 2015, using a validated linkage algorithm to identify and link patient-level sequential hospitalizations occurring within 30 days from first admission (considering all hospitalizations within the 30-day timeframe as belonging to the same ACS episode of care-ACS-EC). From 212,481 ACS-EC, 42,670 (20.1%) had more than one hospitalization. ACS-EC hospitalization rates decreased throughout the study period (2000: 207.7/100.000 person-years to 2015: 185,8/100,000 person-years, p for trend <0.05). Proportion of IHT increased from 10.5% in 2000 to 20.1% in 2015 compared to a reduction in both planned and unplanned 30-day ACS rehospitalization from 9.0% in 2000 to 2.7% in 2015. After adjusting for patient and first admission hospital's characteristics, compared to 2000-2003, in 2012-2015 the odds of IHT increased by 3.81 (95%CI: 3.65-3.98); the odds of unplanned and planned 30-day ACS rehospitalization decreased by 0.36 (95%CI: 0.33; 0.39) and 0.47 (95%CI: 0.43; 0.53), respectively. Female sex, older age and the presence and severity of comorbidities were associated with lower likelihood of being transferred or having a planned 30-day ACS rehospitalization. Unplanned 30-day ACS rehospitalization was more likely in patients with higher comorbidity burden. CONCLUSION: IHT and 30-day ACS rehospitalization reflect coronary referral network efficiency and access to specialized treatment. Identifying factors associated with higher likelihood of IHT and 30-day ACS rehospitalization may allow heightened surveillance and interventions to reduce rehospitalizations and inequities in access to specialized treatment.
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Rocha et al. (2021) conducted a cohort in Acute coronary syndrome (n=212,481). Admission in 2012-2015 vs. Admission in 2000-2003 was evaluated on Interhospital transfer (IHT) (OR 3.81, 95% CI 3.65-3.98). Between 2000 and 2015, the proportion of interhospital transfers for acute coronary syndrome increased from 10.5% to 20.1% (OR 3.81 for 2012-2015 vs 2000-2003), while 30-day rehospitalizations decreased from 9.0% to 2.7%.
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