Readmission after epilepsy monitoring unit discharge in a nationally representative sample

Objective: To determine the 30-day readmission rate after Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) discharge in a nationally representative sample, as well as patient, clinical, and hospital characteristics associated with readmission. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of adults discharged from an elective hospitalization with continuous video electroencephalography (vEEG) monitoring, sampled from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Descriptive statistics were used to quantify and characterize readmission within 30 days and logistic regression models were built to examine factors associated with readmission. Results: 6869 admissions met inclusion criteria, with 292 people (4.2 %) readmitted within 30 days. 79.5 % (n = 232/292) of all readmissions were non-elective. Patient characteristics associated with readmission included a higher Elixhauser comorbidity score [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.03, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.04 per 1 point increase in Elixhauser score], a longer length of stay [AOR 1.05, 95 % CI 1.02–1.09 per one day increase in length], non-routine discharge [AOR 1.85, 95 %CI 102−3.38], and comorbid brain tumor diagnosis [AOR 2.55, 95 %CI 1.46–4.46]. Female sex was inversely associated with 30-day readmission [AOR 0.68, 95 % CI 0.54−0.85]. The most common reason for readmission was epilepsy or convulsion (27.6 %), followed by sepsis (5.8 %) and complications of surgical procedures or medical care (5.5 %). Conclusions: Patients electively admitted for continuous vEEG monitoring are infrequently readmitted. These data provide a preliminary national readmission benchmark for patients with elective admissions for vEEG monitoring.