Comparison of readmission and early revision rates as a quality metric in total knee arthroplasty using the Nationwide Readmission Database

Kenneth L Urish; Yongmei Qin; Bassel Salka; Benjamin Y Li; Tudor Borza; Michael Sessine; Peter Kirk; Brent K Hollenbeck; Jonathan E Helm; Mariel S Lavieri; Ted A Skolarus; Bruce L Jacobs

doi:10.21037/atm-19-3463

Comparison of readmission and early revision rates as a quality metric in total knee arthroplasty using the Nationwide Readmission Database

Ann Transl Med. 2020 Jun;8(11):687. doi: 10.21037/atm-19-3463.

Authors

Kenneth L Urish^{1

2

3}, Yongmei Qin⁴, Bassel Salka⁴, Benjamin Y Li⁴, Tudor Borza⁵, Michael Sessine⁴, Peter Kirk⁴, Brent K Hollenbeck⁴, Jonathan E Helm⁶, Mariel S Lavieri⁷, Ted A Skolarus⁸, Bruce L Jacobs⁹

Affiliations

¹ Arthritis and Arthroplasty Design Group, The Bone and Joint Center, Magee Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
² Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Bioengineering, and Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
³ Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
⁴ Department of Urology, Division of Oncology, Dow Division for Urologic Health Service Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
⁵ Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, USA.
⁶ Health Services Research & Development, Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
⁷ Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
⁸ Department of Urology, Division of Oncology, Dow Division for Urologic Health Service Research, Health Services Research & Development, Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
⁹ Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Abstract

Background: After release of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement bundle, there has been increased emphasis on reducing readmission rates for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The potential for a separate, clinically-relevant metric, TKA revision rates within a year following surgery, has not been fully explored. Based on this, we compared rates and payments for TKA readmission and revision procedures as metrics for improving quality and cost.

Methods: We utilized the 2013 Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) to examine national readmission and revision rates, the reasons for revision procedures, and associated costs for elective TKA procedures. As data are not linked across years, we examined revision rates for TKA completed in the month of January by capturing revision procedures in the subsequent following 11-month period to approximate a 1-year revision rate. Diagnosis and procedure codes for revision procedures were collected. Average readmission and revision procedure costs were then calculated, and the cost distributed across the entire TKA population.

Results: We identified 20,851 patients having TKA surgery. The mean unadjusted 30- and 90-day TKA readmission rates were 3.4% and 5.8%, respectively. In contrast, the mean unadjusted 3-month and approximate 1-year reoperation rates were 1.0% and 1.6%, respectively. The most common cause for revision was periprosthetic joint infection, which accounting for 62% of all reported revision procedures. The mean payment for 90-day readmission was roughly half ($10,589±$11,084) of the mean inpatient payment for single reoperation procedure at 90 days ($20,222±$17,799). Importantly, nearly half (46%) of all 90-day readmissions were associated with a reoperation event within the first year.

Conclusions: Readmission following TKA is associated with a 1-year reoperation in approximately half of patients. These reoperations represent a significant patient burden and have a higher per episode cost. Early reoperation may represent a more clinically relevant target for quality improvement and cost containment.

Keywords: Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement; Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD); Total knee arthroplasty (TKA); readmission; revision procedure.

Abstract

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