Sex and Racial/Ethnic Differences in Within-Stay Readmissions During Inpatient Rehabilitation Among Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to determine the association of sex and race/ethnicity with acute hospital readmissions (within-stay readmissions) during inpatient rehabilitation facility care versus patients discharged home without a within-stay readmission among traumatic brain injury patients.DesignThe study used a secondary analysis (N = 210,440) of Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation data using multiple logistic regression.ResultsWithin-stay readmissions occurred for 11.79% of female and 11.77% of male traumatic brain injury patients. Sex-specific models identified insurance, comorbidities, and complications factored differently in likelihood of within-stay readmissions among female than male patients but association of all other factors were similar per group. Within-stay readmissions differences were more pronounced by race/ethnicity: White, 11.63%; Black, 11.32%; Hispanic/Latino, 9.78%; and other, 10.61%. Descriptive bivariate analysis identified racial/ethnic patients with within-stay readmissions had greater days from traumatic brain injury to inpatient rehabilitation facility admission (White, 17.66; Black, 21.70; Hispanic/Latino, 23.81; other, 20.66) and lower admission cognitive and motor function. Factors differed across models predicting within-stay readmissions for race/ethnic groups; age, admission motor and cognitive function, complications, and length of stay were consistent across groups.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates disparities by race/ethnicity for inpatient rehabilitation facility within-stay readmissions among traumatic brain injury patients and factors predictive of this potentially preventable outcome by sex and race/ethnicity. Findings could inform care planning and quality improvement efforts for TBI patients.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine the association of sex and race/ethnicity with acute hospital readmissions in traumatic brain injury patients during inpatient rehabilitation. The study found that the readmission rates were similar between female and male patients, but certain factors differed. The study also revealed significant differences in readmission rates among different race/ethnic groups, as well as the impact of factors such as length of stay and cognitive/motor function on readmissions. Therefore, this study is important for improving care planning and quality improvement efforts for traumatic brain injury patients.