Table 1. Baseline characteristics, charges, and in-hospital outcomes of patients readmitted and not readmitted for LAAC procedures.
There was no difference in the expected primary payer (Medicare, Medicaid, private or self-pay) between both groups. Compared to patients who were not readmitted within 30 days, readmitted patients had a statistically significant longer length of stay during the index admission (2.8 days vs 1.5 days, p<0.001), significantly higher transfer to Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) or Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) (7.0% vs 2.6 %, p<0.001), and a significantly higher likelihood of being in the same state as the hospital during the index admission. In addition, patients who had the procedure performed at a private non-profit hospital were less likely to be readmitted than patients who underwent the procedure at a private for-profit or government hospital. While hospitals with the smallest volume of cases in 2016, defined as 1 to 4 cases, had the highest readmission rate at 12%, the relationship between hospital procedure volume and readmission rate was non-significant (p = 0.350).