Decreased readmission rates following use of modified trauma-specific frailty index in older trauma patients: A follow-up study. Issue 5 (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saberian, Sepehr; Mustroph, Christian; Xiang, Laurel; Udobi, Kahdi; Childs, Ed W; Danner, Omar K; Sola Jr., Richard
• Is Part Of: Injury. Volume 54:Issue 5(2023)
• Page Start: 1302
• Page End: 1305
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: Readmission rates -- Trauma-specific frailty index -- Frailty -- Emergency severity index -- Adult trauma patient triage; Wounds and injuries -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Periodicals; Wounds and Injuries -- surgery -- Periodicals; Lésions et blessures -- Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 617.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2023.01.043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-1383

Abstract

Highlights: mTSFI had a lower 30-day readmission rate (0%) compared to patients triaged using the ESI (11%) although it was not statistically significant. mTSFI utilization in the setting of trauma may lead to clinically, but not statistically significant, lower 30-day readmission rates. ESI, which is widely used, should be re-evaluated as the gold standard for triaging of trauma patients given the relatively higher rates of readmissions observed post-discharge. Abstract: Introduction: Post-discharge readmission rates using modified Trauma-Specific Frailty Index (mTSFI) compared to the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) are unknown. In our pilot study, we demonstrated that mTSFI usage more accurately triages older trauma patients. In the current study, we hypothesized that adult trauma patients triaged using mTSFI would have lower readmission rates at the 30-day interval post discharge. Methods: Retrospective review of readmission rates for 96 trauma patients ≥ 50 years old was performed. The two study groups were categorized as mTSFI-concordant and ESI-concordant. Fisher's exact test was performed. Results: Mean ages for ESI and mTSFI groups were 63.8 (SD 10.6) and 65.2 (SD 10.8) years. The 30-day readmission rate was 0% (0/32) in the mTSFI group vs 11% (7/64) in the ESI group ( p = 0.104). Conclusions: Utilization of mTSFI for adult trauma patients may lead to lower 30-day readmission rates compared to using ESI, despite our sample sizes being too small to demonstrate a statistically significant difference.