Publication Date
6-27-2023
Journal
World Journal of Hepatology
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We previously reported national 30-d readmission rates of 27% in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DC).
AIM: To study prospective interventions to reduce early readmissions in DC at our tertiary center.
METHODS: Adults with DC admitted July 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled and randomized into the intervention (INT) or standard of care (SOC) arms. Weekly phone calls for a month were completed. In the INT arm, case managers ensured outpatient follow-up, paracentesis, and medication compliance. Thirty-day readmission rates and reasons were compared.
RESULTS: Calculated sample size was not achieved due to coronavirus disease 2019; 240 patients were randomized into INT and SOC arms. 30-d readmission rate was 33.75%, 35.83% in the INT
CONCLUSION: Our 30-d readmission rate was higher than the national rate but reduced by interventions in patients with DC with HE and early outpatient follow-up. Development of interventions to reduce early readmission in patients with DC is needed.
Keywords
Decompensated cirrhosis, Hospital readmissions, Interventions