The association of discharge decisions after deceased donor kidney transplantation with the risk of early readmission: Results from the deceased donor study

摘要

Abstract Background Kidney transplant (KT) recipients experience high rates of early (≤30?days) hospital readmission (EHR) after KT, and existing studies provide limited data on modifiable discharge factors that may mitigate EHR risk. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of 468 adult deceased donor KT recipients transplanted between 4/2010 and 11/2013 at 5 United States transplant centers. We fit multivariable mixed effects models to assess the association of two potentially modifiable discharge factors with the probability of EHR after KT: (i) weekend discharge and (ii) days to first scheduled follow‐up. Results Among 468 KT recipients, 38% (n?=?178) experienced EHR after KT. In fully adjusted analyses, compared to weekday discharges, KT recipients discharged on the weekend had a 29% lower risk of EHR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41‐0.94). Compared to follow‐up within 2?days of discharge, KT recipients with follow‐up within 3 to 6?days had a 28% higher probability of EHR (aOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.13‐1.45). Conclusions These findings suggest that clinical decisions related to the timing of discharge and follow‐up modify EHR risk after KT, independent of traditional risk factors.