Analysis of Otolaryngologic Readmissions at a High‐Volume Quaternary Referral Center

Abstract

ObjectivesTo identify common reasons for readmission following otolaryngologic surgery at a high‐volume center and identify possible risk factors for readmission.MethodsRetrospective chart review of readmissions identified by hospital‐based electronic medical record reporting mechanism.ResultsFrom January 2019 to September 2020, there were 87 readmissions following 808 index surgeries. The most common reason for readmission was for planned surgery (23%), followed by post‐operative neck infection, bleeding, or pneumonia. Patients with unplanned readmissions had significantly longer index admission duration than patients who were not readmitted (median 7 days vs. median 5 days, resp.; p = 0.0056). Analysis of cases of unplanned readmission for neck infection and bleeding identified the oral cavity/pharynx as the most common site of initial surgery and that a majority of patients had a history of radiation therapy.ConclusionNeck infection, bleeding, and pneumonia were the most common reasons for unplanned readmission following otolaryngologic surgery, and a large portion of patients required additional procedures during readmission. Unplanned readmissions for bleeding were significantly more costly than readmissions for neck infections. Long‐index hospitalizations, index surgery involving the oral cavity and pharynx, and a history of radiation therapy may be useful clinical features that could stratify the risk of readmission.Level of Evidence4, retrospective chart review Laryngoscope, 133:2546–2552, 2023