Factors associated with hospital readmissions among patients with COVID‐19: A single‐center experience

Abstract

Identify factors associated with readmission after an index hospital admission for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection in a single center serving an underserved and predominantly minority population. This retrospective descriptive study included 275 patients who tested COVID‐19 positive via reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction assay at our institution and who survived the index hospitalization. The main outcomes were 1‐ and 6‐month readmission rates after an index hospitalization for COVID‐19. The mortality rate among the readmitted patients was also determined. Factors independently associated with readmission were investigated using multivariable logistic regression. A final sample of 275 patients was included. The mean age was 64.69\u2009±\u200914.64 (SD), 133 (48%) were female and 194 (70%) were African American. Their chronic medical conditions included hypertension 203 (74%) and diabetes mellitus 121 (44%). After the hospitalization, 1‐month readmission rate was 7.6%, while 6‐month readmission rate was 24%. Nine percent of patients who were readmitted subsequently died. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was significantly associated with 6‐month readmission odds ratio (OR), 2.15 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–4.44; p\u2009=\u20090.039) after adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, and comorbidities. Readmissions were due to cardiac, respiratory, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with increased readmission OR, 3.16 (95% CI: 1.01–9.88; p\u2009=\u20090.048). No significant difference was found between inflammatory markers or clinical outcomes during the index hospitalization among patients who were readmitted compared to those who were not. A significant number of patients hospitalized for COVID‐19 may be readmitted. The presence of CAD is independently associated with high rates of 6‐month readmission.