• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.28-41
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• 2003

Background : Because unplanned readmissions to intensive care unit(ICU)might be related with undesirable patient outcomes, we investigated the pattern of and reason for unplanned ICU readmission to provide baseline data for reducing unplanned returns to ICU. Methods : The subjects included all patients who readmitted to ICU during the same hospitalization at a tertiary referral hospital between January 1st and June 30th 2002. Quality improvement(QI) nurse collected the data through medical records and a medical director reviewed the data collected. Results : 1) The average unplanned ICU readmission rate was 5.6%(gastroenterology 14.6%, pediatrics 12.7%, pulmonology 11.9%, neurosurgery 6.3%, general surgery 5.3%, chest surgery 3.9%, and cardiology 3.3%). 2) Among the unplanned readmissions, more than 50% of cases were from patients older than 60 years, and the main categories of diagnose at hospital admission were neurologic disease(29.9%) and cardiovascular disease(27.6%). 3) Of unplanned ICU readmissions, 41.8% had recurrence of the initial problems, 44.8% had occurrence of new problems. And 9.7% required post-operative care after unplanned operations. 4) The most common cause responsible for unplanned ICU readmission were respiratory problem(38.3%) and cardiovascular problem(14.3%). 5) About 40% of unplanned ICU readmission occurred within 3 days after ICU discharge. 6) Average length of stay of the readmitted patients to ICUs were much longer than that of non-readmitted patients. 7) Hospital mortality rate was much higher for unplanned ICU readmitted patients(23.6%) than for non-readmitted patients(1.5%) (P<0.001). Conclusions : This study showed that the unplanned ICU readmitted patients had poor outcomes(high morality and increased length of stay). In addition study results suggest that more attention should be paid to patients in ICU with poor respiratory function or elderly patients, and careful clinical decisions are required at discharged from ICU to general ward.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.112-129
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• 1996

Background : A small number of high cost patients usually spend a larger proportion of scarce health resources. Aged, long-term care and readmitted patients usually belong to these high cost patient group. Among others, long length of stay and readmission can be reduced by checking its cause, and these are the areas needed most of quality improvement activity. Characteristics of high cost medical users between health insurance program and medical assistance program were reviewed. Methods : The inpatient claims of health insurance and medical assistance program were analyzed. Patients were divided by 6 groups; long-term, mid-term, short-term, readmitted, cancer and aged. We defined high cost patients as those who had spent one and half million won and over per 6 months. Characteristics of high cost patients for each group were reviewed. Results : medical assistance patients used much more resources than the insured members in the average hospital cost per case but less in daily hospital cost. The former had a longer length of stay and had much heavier diseases. Major diseases of both group were cancer, diseases of circulatory system and chronic degenerative diseases. Gallstone and schizophrenia were more in the insured program. However, pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma were more common among the medical assistance patients. Early readmission before 2 weeks were 28-30% of the total readmission. Readmission rate in the malignat neoplasm and renal failure were 80% and more. Q.A program should be installed to prevent unnecessary readmissions. Conclusion : Almost 30% of early readmissions and admissions due to complications and long length of stay should be reviewed carefully to keep cost down and to enhance the quality of hospital care.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.28-32
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• 2014

Purpose: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has become a gold standard for children even in complicated appendicitis. The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative surgical site infection rates between laparoscopic and open appendectomy (OA) group in pediatric complicated appendicitis. Methods: A total of 1,158 pediatric patients (age ${\leq}$ 15 years) underwent operation for appendicitis over a period of 8 years. Among these patients, 274 patients (23.7%) were diagnosed with complicated appendicitis by radiologic, operative and pathologic findings, and their clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Of the 274 patients with complicated appendicitis, 108 patients underwent LA and 166 patients underwent OA. Patients in the LA group returned to oral intake earlier (1.9 days vs. 2.7 days; p<0.01) and had a shorter hospital stay (5.0 days vs. 6.3 days; p<0.01). However, rate of postoperative intra-abdominal infection (organ/space surgical site infection) was higher in the LA group (LA 15/108 [13.9%] vs. OA 12/166 [7.2%]; p<0.01). Readmission rate was also higher in the LA group (LA 9/108 [8.3%] vs. OA 3/166 [1.8%]; p<0.01). Conclusion: The minimally invasive laparoscopic technique has more advantages compared to the open procedure in terms of hospital stay and early recovery. However, intra-abdominal infection and readmission rates were higher in the laparoscopy group. Further studies should be performed to evaluate high rate of organ/space surgical infection rate of laparoscopic procedure in pediatric complicated appendicitis.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.56-71
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• 1996

Background : Review of readmissions in health care facilities is necessary from the viewpoint of both economic concerns and quality considerations. To identify the characteristics, factors, and causes of multiple admissions in comparison with single admissions is essential for both providers and payers in order to assure quality care and efficient use of medical resources. Methods: All discharges from an university hospital in 1993 were analyzed, and the characteristics of multiple admissions were identified and were compared with those of single admissions by using the data bases of the discharge abstract and billing for reimbursement. Medical records of patients readmitted within 6 days after the previous discharge were reviewed to identify the reasons for such prompt readmission. Statistical analysis between groups of patients were performed by using SPSS. Result : The mean age was higher in multiple admissions than those of single admissions, and the average length of stay was longer in multiple admissions than in single admissions. The hospital cost per day is higher in single admissions while the cost per case is higher in multiple admissions. More than half of readmissions occurred within one month after the preceding discharges. Above 15% of the readmission within 6 days after the preceding discharges seemed to have close relationship with quality of care provided during the preceding hospitalization. The death rate of the patients readmitted within 6 days was the highest in comparison with multiple admissions and single admissions. Conclusion : Potential preventable readmissions should be reduced by identifying characteristics of multiple admissions, especially unplanned readmission, and by applying some interventions such as standard predischarge assessment or careful follow-up care after discharge for high risk readmission groups. As the results of these efforts, health care facilities could achieve quality improvement in medical care, and effective use of hospital resources.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.772-777
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• 2000

Objectives : After lumbar microdiscectomy there are relatively higher incidence of readmission because of various postoperative discomfort. Analyzing these readmitted patients in our private hospital where the patients can be readmitted more easily, we expect to find out which factors are associated with improvement of the surgical outcome. Patients and Methoes : After discharge all significant patient's clinical data were registered to our computerized data bank system and periodic follow-up were performed. The authors analysed 651(97.7%) cases followed up over 2 years(average 3 years) out of 666 patients who underwent a initial lumbar microdiscectomy from May, 1994 to April, 1997. Among them, 63 patients(9.7%) were readmitted. Results : Among the patients readmitted, 29 patients(4.5%) were reoperated because of recurred disc herniation, 17 patients were myofascial pain syndrome, 4 patients were discitis, 3 patients were adhesion and one patient was epidural abscess. Treatment results of these readmitted patients showed that success rate of all readmitted patients was 68.3%, reoperation was 58.6% and myofascial pain syndrome was 82.4%. Conclusion : Treatment results of the patients readmitted because of a continuous lumbago or leg pain after microdiscectomy were acceptable through the careful analysis of the causes of the recurrent symptom. Therefore, the incidence of the chronic failed back syndrome can be reduced by efforting a more active management through readmission.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.794-802
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• 2022

This retrospective study was to investigate the characteristics of unplanned readmission and factors affecting readmission within 30 days of discharge in patients who underwent heart valve surgery through electronic medical records. The participants were 423 unplanned re-hospitalization within 30 days after heart valve surgery at a tertiary hospital in Seoul from January 2018 to August 2019. A total of 48 patients (11.3%) were unplanned readmissions, and the most common causes were atrial fibrillation in 13 cases (27.1%) and pain at the surgical site in 13 cases (27.1%). Other causes were: 10 cases (20.8%) of warfarin inappropriate treatment concentration, 7 cases of general weakness (14.6%), 5 cases of hypotension (10.4%), 4 cases of pericardial effusion (8.3%), 3 cases of surgical wound infection (6.3%), 3 cases of hemorrhage (6.3%), 3 cases of high fever (6.3%), and 1 case of cerebral infarction (2.1%). Variables influencing readmission were history of cancer (OR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.13-6.03, p = .025) and the patients who went to a home rather than a hospital after discharge (OR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.33-6.36, p = .008), as a type of valve surgery, mitral valve valvuloplasty had a higher readmission rate than aortic valve replacement (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.21-4.98, p = .012). In order to reduce unplanned readmissions, an tailored education program is needed to enable patients and caregivers to manage their comorbid chronic diseases before discharge and assess risk factors for readmission in advance.

• Acute and Critical Care
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 2018

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of using a systematic approach to tracheostomy care by a clinical nurse specialist and surgical intensivists for patients with a tracheostomy who were transferred from the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) to the general ward. Methods: In this retrospective study, subjects were limited to SICU patients with a tracheostomy who were transferred to the general ward. The study period was divided into a preintervention period (January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010) and a postintervention period (January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014), and electronic medical records were used to analyze and compare patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, and readmission to the SICU. Results: The analysis included 44 patients in the preintervention group and 96 patients in the postintervention group. Decannulation time ($26.7{\pm}25.1$ vs. $12.1{\pm}16.0days$, P=0.003), length of stay in the general ward ($70.6{\pm}89.1$ vs. $40.5{\pm}42.2days$, P=0.008), length of total hospital stay ($107.5{\pm}95.6$ vs. $74.7{\pm}51.2days$, P=0.009), and readmission rate of SICU decreased due to T-cannula occlusion (58.8% vs. 5.9%, P=0.010). Conclusions: Using a systematic approach to tracheostomy care in the general ward led to reduction in decannulation time through professional management, which resulted in a shorter hospital stay. It also lowered SICU readmission by solving problems related to direct T-cannula.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.219-228
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was a comparative analysis of stroke-related factors between recurrent patients and non-recurrent patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study design was used, and data were collected from March 2020 to April 2020 using electronic medical records. 244 patients (221 first-timers and 23 recurrent) were included in this study. Results: The stroke recurrence rate in 5 years was 9.4%, the readmission rate was 39.3%, and the mortality rate was 2.0%. The number of patients hospitalized for stroke was greater among men than among women. Of the patients, 60.7% had an underlying disease. With regard to daily life abilities, over 70% of participants needed more than moderate dependence and about 40% of participants had more than mild cognitive impairment. More than 50% were moved to wheelchairs or stretcher cars. The difference in the stroke readmission rate between recurrent and non-recurrent patients was statistically significant. Conclusions: Based on our findings, a program to prevent recurrence of stroke should be developed to considering age, ability of daily living, place of discharge, gait ability at discharge, and place of discharge.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.311-316
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• 2009

Background: Clopidogrel is widely used just before coronary artery bypass surgery, yet its pharmacological effect can cause postoperative bleeding-related complications. The purpose of this study was to find the effect of preoperative clopidogrel exposure on the blood transfusion requirement and on the rate of reexploration for bleeding control and the rate of readmission caused by bleeding in patients who undergo off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). Material and Method: This study included 103 patients who had been on clopidogrel preoperatively and they underwent OPCAB by one surgeon from January, 2005 to November, 2007. We divided the patient into two group. Group 1 consisted of 45 patients who stopped cloidogrel 5 days before surgery and group 2 consisted of 58 patients who were taking clopidogrel within 5 days before surgery. Two groups were compared in terms of the bleeding related reoperation rate and the readmission rate, the amount of postoperative bleeding and the required amount of transfusion. Result: There were no significant differences between the two groups concerning the demographic, echocardiographic and hematologic features. There were no significant differences in the postoperative bleeding amount, but the amount of required transfusion was greater in group 2 (p=0.018). While group 1 showed a 0% reoperation rate for hemostasis and 0% readmission rate as related to postoperative bleeding, group 2 showed a 6.9% reoperation and a 5.2% readmission rate, but three were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: Continuous use of clopidogrel did not cause postoperative major bleeding, but can increase the amount of bleeding and the amount of required transfusion postoperatively. We that discontinuation of clopidogrel for a while before elective OPCAB can help the patient's postoperative recovery.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.259-266
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aims to determine the risk factors predicting rehospitalization by comparing three models and selecting the most successful model. Methods: In order to predict the risk of rehospitalization within 28 days after discharge, 11 951 inpatients were recruited into this study between January and December 2009. Predictive models were constructed with three methods, logistic regression analysis, a decision tree, and a neural network, and the models were compared and evaluated in light of their misclassification rate, root asymptotic standard error, lift chart, and receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: The decision tree was selected as the final model. The risk of rehospitalization was higher when the length of stay (LOS) was less than 2 days, route of admission was through the out-patient department (OPD), medical department was in internal medicine, 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases code was neoplasm, LOS was relatively shorter, and the frequency of OPD visit was greater. Conclusions: When a patient is to be discharged within 2 days, the appropriateness of discharge should be considered, with special concern of undiscovered complications and co-morbidities. In particular, if the patient is admitted through the OPD, any suspected disease should be appropriately examined and prompt outcomes of tests should be secured. Moreover, for patients of internal medicine practitioners, co-morbidity and complications caused by chronic illness should be given greater attention.