Palacios, Pedro

Background and Goals: Ulcerative colitis (UC) readmissions to the hospital pose a burden to patients and health care systems. Preventing readmissions is important for the quality of care and quality of life of patients with UC. We aimed to identify the incidence of 30 and 90-day readmissions and its predictors in patients with UC. Study: Retrospective review of the 2018 National Readmission Database (NRD) of adult patients readmitted after an index admission (IA) of UC. ICD-10CM/PCS codes were used to identify patients with UC, other comorbidities, and procedures. We identified the most common causes for readmission and independent risk factors for readmission were identified using Cox regression analysis. Results: The 30 and 90-day readmission rates for UC in 2018 were 16.6% and 28.3%. In-hospital mortality and mean length of stay were higher in patients readmitted within both 30 and 90 days. Independent predictors of 30-day readmission were higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), undergoing ileostomy, increasing length of stay, malnutrition and opioid use disorder at IA. In the 90-day readmission cohort, independent predictors were CCI score of 2 or ≥3, developing shock, admission to large bed size hospitals, undergoing colectomy, increasing length of stay and opioid use disorder at IA. The number one readmission cause at 30 and 90 days was sepsis of unspecified organism. Conclusion: Readmission is associated with higher mortality and is associated with risk factors such as malnutrition, undergoing ileostomy during IA and opioid use disorder. Readmissions in UC continue to pose a high burden to patients and our health care system.

e16193 Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is curative for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients within the Milan criteria. Readmissions are common postoperatively, and can be associated with increased morbidity and healthcare burden. Hence we aim to identify incidence, impact and independent predictors for readmission in patients who underwent LT in HCC. Methods: Retrospective study of the 2017 National Readmission Database (NRD) of adult patients readmitted within 30 days after an index admission for LT with an underlying diagnosis of HCC, in patients with cirrhosis we used the BAVENO score to categorize between compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. We aim to identify 30-day readmission rate, mortality, healthcare related utilization resources and independent predictors of readmission. Results: A total of 2,092 patients with HCC underwent liver transplantation. The 30-day readmission rate was 25.6%. Main causes for readmission were post-surgical complications from LT, sepsis, liver failure. Readmitted patients were less likely to have private insurance (40.5% vs 34.5%; P<0.01), to be obese (18.2% vs 7.9%; P<0.01), hypertensive (51.2% vs 39.5%; P<0.01), have history of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (16.5% vs 2.3%; P<0.01). Readmission was associated with higher in-hospital mortality rate (0.1% vs. 1.5%; P<0.01). The total health care in-hospital economic burden of readmission was $56.1 million in total charges and $15.2 million in total costs. Independent predictors of readmission were type 2 diabetes, transfusion of blood products during index admission, protein-caloric malnutrition, sepsis, and preventive factors were younger age, private insurance and cannabis use. Conclusions: Readmissions after LT in HCC are associated with higher mortality and pose a high health care burden. We identified risk factors that can be targeted to decrease overall patient morbidity, mortality and health care burden.[Table: see text]

e16109 Background: Total gastrectomy with lymph node dissection is curative for early gastric malignancy which accounts for 1.5% of cancer cases in the U.S. Readmissions are common postoperatively, and are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, hospital costs and decreased quality of life. We hence aim to identify incidence, impact and independent predictors for readmission in patients who underwent total gastrectomy in gastric malignancy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of the 2017 National Readmission Database (NRD) of adult patients readmitted within 30 days after an index admission for total gastrectomy with a concomitant diagnosis of gastric malignancy. T-test was used for continuous variables and chi square test was used for categorical variables. Multivariate regression was used to identify predictors for unplanned readmissions. ICD 10 codes were used to identify diagnoses and procedures. Results: A total of 1,779 patients with gastric malignancy underwent total gastrectomy. The 30-day readmission rate was 18.5%. Main causes for readmission were sepsis, ventricular fibrillation, recurrent STEMI. Readmitted patients were more likely to be on chemotherapy. (40.1% vs 27.2%; P<0.01) and more likely to be discharged to a skilled facility (13.5% vs 17.9%; P<0.01). The total health care in-hospital economic burden of readmission was $6.5 million in total charges and $25 million in total costs. Independent predictors of readmission were major bleeding, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, peripheral parenteral nutrition, history of non-alcoholic hepato-steatosis, and prolonged length of stay. Conclusions: Readmissions after gastrectomy in patients with gastric malignancies are associated with lower in-hospital mortality yet pose a substantial economic burden on healthcare. The lower mortality might be explained by the relatively stable course and lower comorbidities of patients who become eligible for discharge after surgery. Further studies are suggested. Modifiable risk factors like malnutrition and sepsis warrant special attention to decrease readmissions and improve overall outcomes.[Table: see text]