Association between hospital type and length of stay and readmissions for young adults with complex chronic diseases.

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of information around whether hospital length of stay and readmission rates differ based upon hospital type for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with complex chronic diseases (CCDs).

OBJECTIVE

To measure the association between hospital type and readmission rates and index admission LOS among AYA with CCDs.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of 2017 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases, including patients 12-25 years old with cystic fibrosis (CF), sickle cell disease (SCD), spina bifida (SB), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and diabetes mellitus (DM). Index hospitalizations were categorized by hospital type (pediatric hospitals [PHs], adult hospitals with pediatric services [AHPSs], and adult hospitals without pediatric services [AHs]), CCD, and age group. We compared case-mix adjusted 30-day readmission rates and differences in index admission LOS between hospital types.

RESULTS

Adult hospitals without pediatric services exhibited higher readmission rates (25.4%) than AHPS (22.9%) and PH (15.1%). Compared to patients with CF admitted to AH, lower readmission rates were associated with longer LOS at both AHPS (relative ratio [RR]: 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.55) and PH (RR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.28-1.97). Patients with DM admitted to AHPS (odds ratio [OR]: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.62-0.91) and PH (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.31-0.71) also demonstrated lower readmission rates than those admitted to AH.

CONCLUSIONS

For AYA with CCD, hospital type is associated with differences in readmission rates and LOS. Lower readmission rates at hospitals with pediatric services compared to adult hospitals without pediatric services suggest hospital type has a significant impact on outcomes.