Costs associated with unplanned readmissions among patients with heart failure with and without hyponatremia. (21st February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amin, Alpesh N; Ortendahl, Jesse D; Harmon, Amanda L; Kamat, Siddhesh A; Stellhorn, Robert A; Chase, Sandra L; Sundar, Shirin V
• Is Part Of: American journal of health-system pharmacy. Volume 76:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 374
• Page End: 380
• Publication Date: 2019-02-21
• Subjects: heart failure -- hospital costs -- hyponatremia -- readmission; Hospital pharmacies -- United States -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxy064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-2082

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: Costs associated with unplanned readmissions among patients with heart failure with and without hyponatremia were studied. Methods: This study estimated the costs of patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) discharged with or without corrected sodium. A model was developed to monetize the 30-day readmission risk based on hyponatremia correction. Costs of discharging patient with corrected versus uncorrected hyponatremia were estimated using readmission rates from a previously published study and hospitalization costs from the Healthcare Costs and Utilization Cost Project and the Premier Healthcare Database. Results: Discharging patients with HF and hyponatremia increased costs from $488-$569 per discharge compared to patients with corrected hyponatremia. This range reflected differences in readmission rates and sources of hospitalization costs. Sensitivity analyses showed hospitalization costs and readmission rates had the largest impact on model results. Conclusion: A retrospective study supports the value of upfront monitoring and correction of low serum sodium levels before discharge among patients with HF and hyponatremia by presenting an economic argument in addition to the clinical rational for reducing risk of readmission.