Ibrahim Albabtain1, Roaa Alsuhaibani2, Sami Almalki2, Hassan Arishi1, Hatim Alsulaim1. 1KAMC, 2KSAUHS
Background: Hospitals usually reduce staffing levels over weekend. This raises the question of whether patients discharged over a weekend may be inadequately prepared and possibly at higher risk for adverse events post-discharge. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of common acute care surgery procedures for patients discharged over weekend, and identify the key predictors of early readmission.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital between January and December 2016. Surgical procedures included were cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and hernia repairs. Patients’ demographic, co-morbidities, complications, readmission and follow-up details were collected from the electronic medical records. Predictors and post-operative outcomes associated with weekend discharge were identified by multivariable analysis using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models controlling for potential confounders.
Results: A total of 743 patients were included. Overall median age was 35 years (IQR: 22, 58). The majority of patients were female (n= 397, 53.4%). 361 patients (48.6%) underwent a cholecystectomy, 288 (38.8%) an appendectomy, and 94 (12.6%) hernia repairs. Weekend discharge was 16.8% vs. 83.2% of weekday discharge. Patients discharged during weekend were younger (34.2 vs. 41, p-value < 0.001, mean). Post-discharge 14-day follow-up visits were significantly lower in the weekend discharge subgroup (83.1 % vs. 91.2%, p-value 0.006). Overall, 30-day readmission rate was 3.2% (n=24), and did not differ between those of weekend and weekday discharge (OR= 0.28, 95% CI 0.52-9.70).
Conclusions: Patients discharged on weekends tended to be younger in age and less likely to have chronic diseases. Patients discharged over the weekend were less likely to follow up compared to weekday discharge patients. However, the readmissions rate did not differ between the two groups.
Presented at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
Abstract ID: 87257
Program Number: P071
Presentation Session: iPoster Session (Non CME)
Presentation Type: Poster