Predictors of unanticipated admission within 30 days of outpatient sinonasal surgery

Objectives: To identify predictive factors of readmission after day-case rhinologic surgery. Methods: A 2-year retrospective chart review of patients scheduled for ambulatory sinonasal surgery in a tertiary medical center was conducted. The operating room and the anesthetic files were screened to identify demographic data, types of procedure, comorbidities and post-operative complications. Results: From January 2014 to January 2016, 924 outpatient sinonasal procedures were identified. The overall readmission rate within the 30-postoperative days was 5.1% (2.9% for overnight hospital stay, 2.2% for unplanned post procedure visit to the hospital via the emergency room, or directly to the surgical unit within 30 days of discharge). Age ≥ 50 years, surgical duration ≥ 80 min, endoscopic sinus surgery procedures and postoperative nasal packing were identified as negative predictive factors of readmission. Conclusion: Careful scheduling of those higher-risk patients undergoing sinonasal surgery and appropriate postoperative observation should be implemented to improve healthcare quality in an outpatient setting.