26 Jan Sepsis Linked To High Rate of Hospital Readmissions
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Yende
Sachin Yende, M.D., M.S., Associate professor
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s departments of
Critical Care Medicine and Clinical and Translational and
Vice president of Critical Care at the VA Pittsburgh.
Dr. Mayr
Florian B. Mayr, M.D., M.P.H.
Faculty member in University of Pittsburgh
Department of Critical Care Medicine and the
Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Veteran Health Administration currently track readmission rates for pneumonia, acute heart attacks, heart failure and chronic obstructive lung disease for quality purposes and pay for performance. In our study, we were able to demonstrate that unplanned readmissions after sepsis (defined as life threatening organ failure due to the body’s response to an overwhelming infection) are more common than readmission for these other conditions stated above and associated with significant excess costs.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Sepsis is very common and unfortunately its sequelae continue after hospital discharge. While this report focused on readmissions in the immediate post discharge period, other studies have shown that the effects of sepsis hospitalization continue for several years.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Future research is needed to develop more personalized interventions to reduce readmission after sepsis. For this to happen we need to have a better understanding of a patient’s likelihood to be readmitted and the reasons for readmission. Many of these patients are still recovering at home and in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities, often too weak to return to the clinic to see their primary care physician. Therefore, future research should focus on developing new models to provide care for these patients.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
More Medical Research Interviews on MedicalResearch.com
[wysija_form id=”5″]
Last Updated on January 26, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD