The 30-day rehospitalization rate for adults hospitalized for cellulitis is nearly 10% in the United States, according to a study published online in JAMA Dermatology.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School came to their findings after assessing 447,080 hospital admissions for cellulitis using the nationally representative 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database.
Specifically, the analysis identified a 30-day all-cause nonelective readmission rate of 9.8% among the study population. Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections were the most common cause of readmission (29.7%).
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“A proportion of readmission is likely due to cellulitis treatment failure; others may be due to comorbid conditions that are distinct from cellulitis,” the researchers wrote. “However, misdiagnosis of cellulitis likely contributes to readmission.”
Patient age and insurance status were both associated with increased rates of readmission, according to the researchers. In particular, patients aged 65 years and older had a 12.3% rate of readmission compared with a 7% readmission rate for patients aged 18 to 44 years and a 9.8% readmission rate for patients aged 45 to 64 years. Compared with a 5.7% readmission rate for patients with private insurance, patients covered by Medicare had a 12.8% readmission rate and those covered by Medicaid had a 10.8% readmission rate.
In all, nonelective readmissions within 30-days of hospitalization for cellulitis cost more than $500 million, the study found. When researchers looked at readmissions for skin and subcutaneous infections only, they identified costs totaling more than $100 million.
“Readmissions after cellulitis discharge nationwide are common and costly,” the researchers wrote. “Although readmission among patients with cellulitis will never be zero, the more than 40,000 patients affected and $100 million in annual costs demonstrate the scope of opportunity for improvement.”
—Jolynn Tumolo
Reference
Fisher JM, Feng JY, Tan SY, Mostaghimi A. Analysis of readmissions following hospitalization for cellulitis in the United States [published online February 27, 2019]. JAMA Dermatology. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.4650
