Predictors of Same-Day Discharge in Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty Patients and Risk Factors for Post-Discharge Complications

Background Same-day (<24 h) discharge total joint arthroplasty (TJA) may be a safe and effective option for certain patients with end-stage osteoarthritis. Given the growing pressure to improve quality and lower TJA episode costs, surgeons must identify which TJA patients can be appropriately discharged home quickly and safely. This study identifies characteristics associated with same-day discharge post-TJA as well as assesses risk factors for complications in this select patient population. Methods Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using perioperative variables from the 2011 to 2014 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Results In total, 7474 primary TJAs among 120,847 TJA patients were discharged within 24 h post-surgery. These patients were more likely to be younger (<50 years), male sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists class 1 or 2, and less likely to be obese or taking steroids (P <.05 for all). They were also less likely to have co-morbidities. Rates of severe adverse event (SAE) or unplanned readmission post-discharge were 1.3% and 1.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified age >80 (odds ratio [OR] 4.16, P =.001), smoking (OR 1.61, P =.03), bleeding-causing disorders (OR 2.56, P =.01), American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or 4 (OR 1.42, P <.05), and SAE pre-discharge (OR 13.13, P <.0001) as independent predictors for adverse events or readmission in this population. Conclusion Patient characteristics, co-morbidities, and SAEs pre-discharge can be used to assess potential for discharge within 24 h. The results of our analysis may be used to develop risk stratification tools for identification of patients that are truly appropriate for same-day discharge TJA.