The Nationwide Inpatient Sample discharge records from 2011 to 2012 were analyzed for patients who underwent a total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Patient and hospital characteristics were identified. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the statistically significant risk factors for discharge to a PAC facility while controlling for covariates.
In 2011 and 2012, 103,798 patients underwent shoulder arthroplasty procedures: 58,937 TSAs and 44,893 RTSAs were identified. RTSA patients were 1.3 times as likely to be discharged to a PAC facility as TSA patients (P = .001). Medicare patients were 2 times as likely to be discharged to a PAC facility than those with private insurance (P < .001). In addition, women and patients presenting with a fracture, older age, or an increasing number of medical comorbidities were more likely to be discharged to a PAC facility (P < .001).
The risk factors identified in our study can be used to stratify patients at high risk for postoperative discharge to PAC, allowing for greater improvement in overall care and the facilitation of postoperative discharge planning.