Sepsis Survivors Face Continued Risk of Hospital Readmissions

A recent study published in the American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC) reveals that sepsis survivors are at a significant risk of being readmitted to the hospital, especially those who were discharged to home health care or home settings.

Despite the success of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, which has reduced sepsis prevalence and related deaths by nearly 30% from 1990 through 2017, there is a growing concern about the post-discharge outcomes for survivors.

The study “Readmissions in Sepsis Survivors: Discharge Setting Risks” delves into the connection between readmission rates, discharge settings, and diagnoses for patients who have survived sepsis during their hospital stay.

It was discovered that many patients were discharged to unsuitable settings, increasing their vulnerability to residual sepsis and subsequent readmission.

Co-author Priscilla Hartley, DNP, RN, from Augusta University, emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between hospitals and discharge settings to enhance the chances of survival.

Analyzing data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV), the study included 7,107 adult sepsis survivors, of which 23.6% were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The most common readmission diagnoses were infection-related, with a majority experiencing another episode of sepsis.

Factors such as the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score, hospital length of stay, and use of mechanical ventilation were found to influence readmission risk.

The authors highlighted that identifying high-risk patients can aid in appropriate discharge planning and post-discharge care to prevent readmissions.

Visit the AJCC website for more details and the full article. The study contributes to the sepsis resources available on the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses website, offering valuable insights and resources for clinicians.

Author
Recent Posts

Renee Hewitt

Editor & Content Strategist at Springer Publishing

Renee is the editor and content strategist for Daily Nurse. When enjoying life unplugged from the digital world, you'll find Renee on a trail taking wildlife photos or birdwatching.