Risk-Adjusted Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Readmission Rate

Exclusion – Rationale

• The patient is age <65 years on date of discharge according to CMS or STS data – Patients younger than 65 in the Medicare dataset represent a distinct population that qualifies for Medicare due to disability. The characteristics and outcomes of these patients may be less representative of the larger population of CABG patients.
• There is a CMS record but no matching STS record – STS data elements are required for identifying the cohort and for risk adjustment.
• There is an STS record but not matching CMS record – Medicare data are required for ascertaining 30-day readmission status, especially readmissions to a hospital other than the CABG hospital
• CABG is not a stand-alone procedure – Inclusion of combination procedures complicates risk adjustment by adding multiple relatively rare cohorts with potentially distinct characteristics and outcomes.
• The patient died prior to discharge from acute care setting – Patient is not at risk of subsequent readmission.
• The patient leaves against medical advice (AMA). – Physicians and hospitals do not have the opportunity to deliver the highest quality care.
• The patient does not retain Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) A and B for at least two months after discharge – Beneficiaries who switch to a Medicare advantage plan are unlikely to file inpatient claims which are required for ascertaining 30-day readmission status.
• The index CABG episode is >365 days. – These patients were excluded for consistency with previous CMS readmission measures. These records may inaccurate admission and discharge dates. If not, including them would complicate risk adjustment by adding a relatively rare cohort with potentially distinct characteristics and outcomes.
• Not the first eligible CABG admission per patient per measurement period. – Simplifies statistical analysis. Also, repeat CABG procedures are very rare and so loss of information is minimal.