1249 - Readmission Rates of Lung Transplant Recipients Following Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Chart Review

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of acute inpatient rehabilitation (AIR) on functional outcomes in lung transplant recipients and to determine whether clinical, demographic, or functional factors predicted 90-day hospital readmission. Secondary goals included identifying reasons for readmission and assessing the potential role of functional recovery as a prognostic marker.

Design:

We conducted a retrospective chart review of adult single and double lung transplant recipients admitted directly to AIR at Jackson Health System, Miami, FL between January 1996 and February 2023. Sixty-one patients met inclusion criteria. Functional independence was measured using standardized GG scores at admission and discharge. Demographic and clinical outcomes were compared between patients readmitted within 90 days and those not readmitted. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-tests.

Results:

Of 61 patients, 32 (52.5%) were readmitted within 90 days, most frequently for pneumonia or infection. Significant improvement in functional independence was observed across the entire cohort, with a 36% increase in GG mean scores from admission to discharge (79.74 and 125.2, respectively, p < 0.05). Non-readmitted patients demonstrated higher discharge and delta GG scores, than readmitted patients (p= 0.057). . No statistically significant demographic or comorbidity differences were found, though COPD diagnosis and smoking history were more common among readmitted patients (p values = 0.069 and 0.078, respectively).

Conclusions:

Lung transplant recipients undergoing AIR achieve meaningful functional gains, with improvement potentially protective against short-term readmission. Trends suggest functional recovery and risk factors such as COPD and smoking may inform post-discharge risk stratification. These findings highlight AIR as a valuable component of post-transplant care and underscore the need for larger, multicenter studies to confirm prognostic associations and optimize management in this high-risk population.