Background

Risk scores have the potential to be invaluable clinical tools, improving patient safety and overall health outcomes. Few studies have validated EPIC's Risk of Unplanned Readmission Score and its usefulness for bariatric patients.

Methods

This retrospective study included bariatric patients from 2015 to 2022. The EPIC risk of readmission score was calculated and assessed by comparing low (<20%), medium (20-40%), and high risk scores (>40%) to presence of Emergency Department (ED) visits, readmission, reoperation, complication, and length of stay.

Results

The 3772 qualifying patients included sleeve gastrectomy (n=705, 18.7%), gastric bypass (n=2826, 74.9%), and biliopancreatic diversion (n=241, 6.4%). The low, medium, and high-risk groups included 74%, 15%, and 11% of the patients, respectively. Surgery type was not associated with risk group (p=0.149). Higher readmission risk score was associated with more readmissions, ED visits, complications, and extended length of stay (Table 1, p<0.05 for each). Readmission risk score was not associated with reoperation.

Conclusions

High preoperative risk scores were more likely to have readmissions, ED visits, complications, and extended LOS. Preoperative readmission risk scores are predictive in identifying patients who would benefit from additional post-op follow-up.