Identifying risk factors for 30-day readmission events among American Indian patients with diabetes in the Four Corners region of the southwest from 2009 to 2016

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for 30-day readmission events for American Indian patients with diabetes in the southwest. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data from patients with diabetes admitted to Gallup Indian Medical Center between 2009 and 2016 were analyzed using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 2,660 patients, 394 (14.8%) patients had at least one readmission within 30 days of discharge. Older age (OR (95% CI) = 1.26, (1.17, 1.36)), longer length of stay (OR (95% CI) = 1.01, (1.0001, 1.0342)), and a history of substance use disorder (OR (95% CI) = 1.80, (1.25, 2.60)) were risk factors for 30-day readmission. An American Indian language preference was protective against readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Readmission events are complex and may reflect broad and interwoven disparities in community systems. Future research should work to support community-defined interventions to address both in hospital and external factors that impact risk factors for readmission.