62 - Factors Associated with 30-Day ED Readmission Following Initial ED Discharge for Suspected Sepsis

Background: Given the increased mortality associated with delayed recognition of sepsis, emergency departments (ED) often use protocols to rapidly identify and treat suspected sepsis. However, screening criteria such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) lack specificity and may over-diagnose sepsis in patients otherwise stable for discharge. Our study describes outcomes and identifies factors associated with ED readmission in those initially discharged directly from the ED who met sepsis criteria.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated adult patients (≥ 18 years) seen in the ED at UTSW Medical Center from January to June 2018 who met all the following: ≥ 2 SIRS criteria; received ≥ 1 dose of intravenous (IV) broad-spectrum antibiotic(s) in the ED; were discharged home. A multivariable logistic regression model identified factors associated with 30-day re-admission to our ED, using clinically significant variables parsimoniously. A two-sided P value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: A total of 179 patients were included. Forty-four patients (25%) returned to the ED within 30 days of their initial visit; of those 44, 63.6% (28) returned for issues related to their prior visit, and 50% (22) were admitted to the hospital. Table 1 compares baseline demographics of patients with suspected sepsis readmitted to the ED with those not readmitted within 30 days after initial ED discharge. In univariable analysis, quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), and length of antibiotic therapy (ED plus discharge antibiotics) were associated with ED re-admission (table 1). Receipt of antibiotics on discharge was not significant. In the final multivariable analysis (table 2), initial qSOFA ≥ 2 alone was associated with increased risk of ED re-admission (OR 7.5, p=0.01).Table 1. Baseline demographics of patients readmitted and not readmitted to the ED within 30 days after ED discharge with suspected sepsis
Table 2. Multivariable logistic regression of risk factors for patients readmitted and not readmitted to the ED within 30 days after ED discharge with suspected sepsis


Conclusion: In this cohort, 25% of patients with suspected sepsis initially discharged from the ED were readmitted to our ED within 30 days. A qSOFA ≥ 2 at the initial ED visit was associated with increased risk of readmission, suggesting a potential use of qSOFA to triage those warranting admission or closer follow-up. Larger prospective studies are warranted in this understudied population of patients who meet screening sepsis criteria but are discharged from the ED.