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).