• Leonard M Copertino, Jane E McCormack, Daniel N Rutigliano, Emily C Huang, Marc J Shapiro, James A Vosswinkel, and Randeep S Jawa.
• Division of Trauma, Department of Surgery, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, HSC 18, Room 040, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8191.
• Am. J. Surg. 2015 Feb 1; 209 (2): 268-73.

BackgroundThere is limited literature on early unplanned hospital readmission after acute traumatic injury, especially at suburban facilities.MethodsA retrospective review of the trauma registry at a suburban, state-designated, level-I academic trauma center from July 2009 to June 2012 was performed for all admitted (≥24 hours) adult (age ≥18 years) trauma patients who were discharged alive, including unplanned readmissions within 30 days of discharge.ResultsOf 3,622 admitted adult trauma patients, 6.57% were readmitted at a median of 9 days. Major surgery was required in 15.9% patients on readmission. The mortality rate at readmission was 4.6%. Multiple factors were associated with readmission on univariate analysis; however, on multivariate analysis, only major comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 1.53), hospital length of stay (OR, 1.01), abdominal Abbreviated Injury Score greater than or equal to 3 (OR, 2.10), and discharge to a skilled nursing facility or subacute facility (OR, 1.56) were significant predictors. Meanwhile, index admission to surgical services was associated with a significantly lower readmission risk (OR, .60).ConclusionsTrauma patients are infrequently readmitted. Index admission to a surgical service reduces the risk of readmission. Earlier medical follow-up should be considered.Published by Elsevier Inc.

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