Risk factors for potentially preventable hospital readmissions among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus infection

ABSTRACT

People living with HIV (PLWH) have a significant risk for experiencing a 30-day readmission; many of which may be potentially preventable readmissions (PPR). The objective of this study was to evaluate 30-day readmission rates for PLWH and identify risk factors for PPR. This was a single center retrospective study. Patients were included if they were ≥18 years of age, had a diagnosis of HIV, and were admitted to University of New Mexico Hospitals between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2014 and readmitted within 30-days of the index admission. Preventability of readmission was defined using previously published criteria. Of the 908 identified admissions for PLWH during 2010–2014, 162 (17.8%) were 30-day readmissions. A total of 60 patient readmissions met study inclusion criteria, of which 55% were determined to be PPR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that being discharged on ≥10 medications (OR 3.92, 95% CI 1.181–13.043) and having an appointment scheduled upon discharge (OR 3.59, 95% CI 1.057–12.212) were significantly associated a PPR. These results further highlight the vulnerability of this patient population and help to identify risk factors for PPR. Targeted transitions of care interventions that address polypharmacy may help to reduce PPR among PLWH.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• AIDS
• hospitalization
• hospital readmission

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.