What Are the Burden, Causes, and Costs of Early Hospital Readmissions After Kidney Transplantation?

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplant recipients are at risk for complications resulting in early hospital readmission. This study sought to determine the incidences, risk factors, causes, and financial costs of early readmissions. DESIGN: This single-centre cohort study included 1461 kidney recipients from 1 Jul 2004 to 31 Dec 2012, with at least 1-year follow-up. Early readmission was defined as hospitalization within 30 or 90-days postdischarge from transplant admission. Associations between various parameters and 30 and 90-days posttransplant were determined using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. The hospital-associated costs of were assessed. RESULTS: The rates of early readmission were 19.4% at 30 days and 26.8% at 90 days posttransplant. Mean cost per 30-day readmission was 11 606 CAD. Infectious complications were the most common reasons and resulted in the greatest cost burden. Factors associated with 30 and 90-days in multivariable models were recipient history of chronic lung disease (hazard ratio or HR 1.78 [95%CI: 1.14, 2.76] and HR 1.68 [1.14, 2.48], respectively), median time on dialysis (HR 1.07 [95% CI: 1.01, 1.13]and HR 1.06 [95% CI: 1.01, 1.11], respectively), being transplanted preemptively (HR 1.75 [95% CI: 1.07, 2.88] and HR 1.66 [95% CI: 1.07, 2.57], respectively), and having a transplant hospitalization lasting of and more than 11 days (HR 1.52 [95% CI: 1.01, 2.27] and HR 1.65 [95% CI: 1.16, 2.34], respectively). DISCUSSION: Early hospital readmission after transplantation was common and costly. Strategies to reduce the burden of early hospital readmissions are needed for all patients.