Factors Associated With In-Hospital Death Among Pneumonia Patients in US Hospitals From 2016 similar to 2019

Background: Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of hospital admission in the United States with a global health burden of about 6.8 million hospitalizations and 1.1 million deaths in patients over 65 years old in 2015. This study aimed to identify possible patient and hospital-related risk factors for in-hospital pneumonia death across US hospitals. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to identify nationwide pneumonia patients (n = 374 766, weighted n = 1 873 828) from 2016 to 2019. We examined the characteristics of the study sample and their association with in-hospital death. Multivariate survey logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors. Results: During the study periods, in-hospital death rates continuously decreased (2.45% in 2016 to 2.19% in 2019). Descriptive statistics showed that patient and hospital factors had varied in-hospital death rates. Survey logistic regression results suggested that male, very low income, non-Medicare, government hospitals, rural hospitals, and specific hospital regions were associated with higher in-hospital death rates than their reference groups. Conclusion: Socioeconomic factors, including income and insurance, are associated with pneumonia mortality. Census region, hospital ownership, and rural location are also related to in-hospital mortality. Such findings in underserved, impoverished, and rural areas to identify possible health disparities.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify possible patient and hospital-related risk factors for in-hospital pneumonia death across US hospitals. The findings show that socioeconomic factors, including income and insurance, are associated with pneumonia mortality. Census region, hospital ownership, and rural location are also related to in-hospital mortality.