Increased Readmission Risk and Healthcare Cost for Delirium Patients without Immediate Hospitalization in the Emergency Department.
10.9758/cpn.2018.16.4.398
- Author:
I Chun MA
1
;
Kao Chin CHEN
;
Wei Tseng CHEN
;
Hsin Chun TSAI
;
Chien Chou SU
;
Ru Band LU
;
Po See CHEN
;
Wei Hung CHANG
;
Yen Kuang YANG
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Delirium;
Hospital emergency service;
Health care costs;
Re-hospitalization;
Risk factors
- MeSH:
Comorbidity;
Delirium*;
Delivery of Health Care*;
Diagnosis;
Emergencies*;
Emergency Service, Hospital*;
Follow-Up Studies;
Health Care Costs*;
Hospitalization*;
Humans;
National Health Programs;
Risk Factors
- From:Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
2018;16(4):398-406
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Hospitalization of patients with delirium after visiting the emergency department (ED) is often required. However, the readmission risk after discharge from the ED should also be considered. This study aimed to explore whether (i) immediate hospitalization influences the readmission risk of patients with delirium; (ii) the readmission risk is affected by various risk factors; and (iii) the healthcare cost differs between groups within 28 days of the first ED visit. METHODS: Using the National Health Insurance Research Database, the data of 2,780 subjects presenting with delirium at an ED visit from 2000 to 2008 were examined. The readmission risks of the groups of patients (i.e., patients who were and were not admitted within 24 hours of an ED visit) within 28 days were compared, and the effects of the severities of different comorbidities (using Charlson’s comorbidity index, CCI), age, gender, diagnosis and differences in medical healthcare cost were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients without immediate hospitalization had a higher risk of readmission within 3, 7, 14, or 28 days of discharge from the ED, especially subjects with more severe comorbidities (CCI≥3) or older patients (≥65 years). Subjects with more severe comorbidities or older subjects who were not admitted immediately also incurred a greater healthcare cost for re-hospitalization within the 28-day follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Patients with delirium with a higher CCI or of a greater age should be carefully considered for immediate hospitalization from ED for further examination in order to reduce the risk of re-hospitalization and cost of healthcare.
