Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Readmission Rates Following Colorectal Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic placed increased pressure to discharge patients early; this could have resulted in rushed discharges requiring patients to return to hospital. The impact of the pandemic on readmission after colorectal surgery is unknown.MethodsThe National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was used to compare patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery in 2019 and 2020, prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine variables associated with readmission. Propensity score matching was then used to compare patients in the pre-pandemic and pandemic cohorts.ResultsA total of 72,874 colorectal cases were included. There were 17.7% less cases in 2020. Rate of readmission was similar in both groups (9.6% vs. 9.4%). There were fewer patients discharged to a facility such as nursing facility or rehabilitation center in 2020, with more patients discharged home. Year was not associated with readmission on multivariable analysis. In the matched cohort, readmission rates did not differ (9.7% vs. 9.3% p = 0.129) nor did mortality (0.8% vs. 0.8% p = 0.686).ConclusionsNo difference in readmission rates before or during the COVID-19 pandemic was observed; suggesting increased pressure to keep patients out of hospital in the COVID-19 pandemic did not result in patients being rushed home requiring repeat admission. More patients were discharged home with fewer to rehabilitation or nursing facilities in 2020, suggesting success with avoiding transitional services in the right setting.