Original Research

Hospital-acquired anemia: Prevalence, outcomes, and healthcare implications

Corresponding Author

Colleen G. Koch MD

Department, of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Quality and Patient Safety Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Address for correspondence and reprint requests: Colleen G. Koch, MD, Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue/Mail Stop J-4, Cleveland, OH 44195; Telephone: 216-445-7418; Fax: 216-445-2536; E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Liang Li PhD,

Liang Li PhD

Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

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Zhiyuan Sun MS,

Zhiyuan Sun MS

Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

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Eric D. Hixson PhD,

Eric D. Hixson PhD

Business Intelligence, Medical Operations, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

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Anne Tang MS,

Anne Tang MS

Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

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Shannon C. Phillips MD,

Shannon C. Phillips MD

Quality and Patient Safety Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

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Eugene H. Blackstone MD,

Eugene H. Blackstone MD

Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

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J. Michael Henderson MD,

J. Michael Henderson MD

Quality and Patient Safety Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

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Colleen G. Koch MD,

Corresponding Author

Colleen G. Koch MD

Department, of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Quality and Patient Safety Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Liang Li PhD,

Liang Li PhD

Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Search for more papers by this author

Zhiyuan Sun MS,

Zhiyuan Sun MS

Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Search for more papers by this author

Eric D. Hixson PhD,

Eric D. Hixson PhD

Business Intelligence, Medical Operations, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Search for more papers by this author

Anne Tang MS,

Anne Tang MS

Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

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Shannon C. Phillips MD,

Shannon C. Phillips MD

Quality and Patient Safety Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

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Eugene H. Blackstone MD,

Eugene H. Blackstone MD

Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

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J. Michael Henderson MD,

J. Michael Henderson MD

Quality and Patient Safety Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

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First published: 19 July 2013

https://doi.org/10.1002/jhm.2061

Citations: 100

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests that patients with normal hemoglobin (Hgb) levels on hospital admission who subsequently develop hospital-acquired anemia (HAA) may be at risk for adverse outcomes. Our objectives were to (1) determine the prevalence of HAA and (2) examine whether HAA is associated with increased mortality, length of stay (LOS), and total hospital charges.

METHODS

The population consisted of 417,301 adult hospitalizations from January 1, 2009 to August 31, 2011, in an academic medical center and 9 community hospitals. Patients with anemia on admission, and hospitals in the health system without available laboratory data were excluded; 188,447 hospitalizations were included in the analysis. Demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes were retrieved from administrative data; Hgb values were taken from the electronic medical record. Regression modeling was used to examine the association between demographics, comorbidity, hospitalization type, and HAA variables (mild: Hgb >11 and <12 g/dL for women, and >11 and <13 g/dL for men; moderate: Hgb 9.1 to ≤11.0 g/dL; severe: Hgb ≤9.0 g/dL) on mortality, LOS, and hospital charges.

RESULTS

Among 188,447 hospitalizations, 139,807 patients (74%) developed HAA: mild, 40,828 (29%); moderate, 57,184 (41%); and severe, 41,795 (30%). Risk-adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for in-hospital mortality with HAA were: mild, 1.0 (0.88–1.17; P = 0.8); moderate, 1.51 (1.33–1.71, P < 0.001); and severe, 3.28 (2.90–3.72, P < 0.001). Risk–adjusted relative mean LOS and hospital charges relative to no HAA were higher with HAA: LOS: mild, 1.08 (1.08–1.10, P < 0.001); moderate, 1.28 (1.26–1.29, P < 0.001); severe, 1.88 (1.86–1.89, P < 0.001). Hospital charges: mild, 1.06 (1.06–1.07, P < 0.001); moderate, 1.18 (1.17–1.19, P < 0.001); severe, 1.80 (1.79–1.82, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HAA is common and associated with increased mortality and resource utilization. Factors related to its development necessitate further study. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:506–512. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine

Supporting Information

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Volume8, Issue9

September 2013

Pages 506-512

Hospital-acquired anemia: Prevalence, outcomes, and healthcare implications

Abstract

BACKGROUND

METHODS

RESULTS

CONCLUSIONS

Supporting Information

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Hospital-acquired anemia: Prevalence, outcomes, and healthcare implications

Abstract

BACKGROUND

METHODS

RESULTS

CONCLUSIONS

Supporting Information

References

Citing Literature

References

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