Background: Outcomes among hospitalized patients with severe vision impairment or blindness have not been extensively explored. The purpose of this study was to determine clinical and resource utilization outcomes in patients with severe vision impairment/blindness.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for year 2017, hospitalized adults with and without severe vision impairment/blindness 18 years and older were compared. Multiple logistic regression and linear analysis were used to evaluate mortality, disposition, length of stay, and hospital charges.
Results: 30,420,907 adults were hospitalized and 37,200 were severely visually impaired/blind. Severely visually impaired/blind patients were older (mean age ± SEM: 66.4±0.24 vs. 57.9±0.09 years, p <0.01), less likely to be female (50% vs 57.7%, p <0.01), and more frequently insured by Medicare (75.7% vs 49.2%, p <0.01). Patients with severe vision impairment/blindness had more comorbidities (Charlson comorbidity score ≥ 3: 53.2% vs 27.8%, p <0.01). They also had a higher mortality rate (3.9% vs 2.2%; p<0.01). Those with severe vision impairment were less likely discharged home (adjusted Odds Ratio {aOR} =0.54, [Confidence Interval (CI) 0.51-0.58]; p <0.01). Hospital charges were not significantly different (adjusted Mean Difference {aMD} = $247 CI [-$2,474-2,929]; p=0.85) and length of stay was longer (aMD= 0.5 days CI [0.3-0.7]; p<0.01) for those with severe vision impairment/blindness.
Conclusions: Severe vision impairment/blindness was associated with worse clinical and resources utilization outcomes. Hospital-based providers should recognize that this vulnerable population is at higher risk and consider how best to care for them while serving their needs.