Resource Utilization and Cost Analysis of Early Hospital Readmissions Following Kidney Transplantation.
Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Meeting: 2016 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: C259
Keywords: Economics, Kidney transplantation
Session Information
Session Name: Poster Session C: Poster Session 1: Kidney Complications-Other
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Monday, June 13, 2016
Session Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Presentation Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Halls C&D
Background: Early hospital readmissions (EHRs) following kidney transplant are associated with poor transplant outcomes and a greater burden on the healthcare system. However, the financial impact of post-transplant EHRs has not been well characterized. Our study examines the costs associated with EHRs at a major Canadian transplant center.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cost analysis of 1091 patients who received a kidney transplant at a university hospital between July 1st, 2004 and December 31st, 2012. EHRs were defined as overnight readmissions within 30 days of the index hospitalization for kidney transplantation. Costs of inpatient and ambulatory visits were obtained from the hospital accounting center. Costs of EHRs and costs at one-year post-transplant were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, and multivariable generalized linear modelling with a gamma distribution and log link function.
Results: The mean cost (SD) per EHR (n = 225) was $8,826.40 ± 7,846.80. High costs were attributed to EHRs for acute rejection (mean $15,931.80 ± 10,098.10) and infection ($8,353.20 ± 7,331.90). EHRs resulted in high costs for pharmacy (mean $1,987.90 ± 2,462.00 per EHR), laboratory ($859.70 ± 816.70), and cardiology ($429.10 ± 752.80) services. The mean cost of readmissions within one year post-transplant (n = 781) was $10,170.50 ± 23,336.40. Patients with an EHR had higher total costs at one year ($18,933.20 ± 36,534.40 vs. $10,270.20 ±27,060.60, p<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that EHRs were associated with 88% higher total cost at one year post-transplant (regression coefficient β = 1.88 [95% CI: 1.20, 2.94]).
Conclusion: EHRs following kidney transplant place a significant financial burden on the transplant hospital. Further work is needed to identify preventable costs associated with post-transplant EHRs to inform the design of interventions to reduce costs while delivering high-quality kidney transplant care.
CITATION INFORMATION: Au M, Famure O, Li Y, Kim J. Resource Utilization and Cost Analysis of Early Hospital Readmissions Following Kidney Transplantation. Am J Transplant. 2016;16 (suppl 3).
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Au M, Famure O, Li Y, Kim J. Resource Utilization and Cost Analysis of Early Hospital Readmissions Following Kidney Transplantation. [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2016; 16 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/resource-utilization-and-cost-analysis-of-early-hospital-readmissions-following-kidney-transplantation/. Accessed July 18, 2025.« Back to 2016 American Transplant Congress