# Unplanned Early Readmissions of Hospitalized Patients with Cirrhosis

> **NIH NIH K23** · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · 2021 · $90,050

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Patients with liver cirrhosis who are discharged from the hospital have high rates of early hospital readmission,
and these readmissions are a significant burden to the health care system. Reducing readmissions is a priority
for the health care system, but requires a thorough understanding of modifiable risk factors leading to
readmission. In addition, many patients who are readmitted to the hospital may benefit from hospice referral,
which is underutilized in patients with cirrhosis, and which may also reduce readmissions. This proposal
describes a career development plan that will enable the candidate to develop expertise in patient-oriented
clinical research by acquiring the necessary skills in health services research, implementation science,
palliative care, and biostatistics. The specific aims are to (1) determine the incidence and predictors of
unplanned 30 day readmissions in patients with cirrhosis; (2) identify factors associated with preventable
unplanned 30 day readmissions; and (3) develop criteria that identify hospitalized patients with cirrhosis who
are suitable for hospice care. To achieve these aims, the candidate will (1) study detailed multidimensional
characteristics of a large prospective cohort of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis; (2) systematically assess
readmission preventability; and (3) convene an expert panel using the modified Delphi consensus process to
identify criteria for hospice eligibility.
The proposed career development plan integrates: close mentoring from a multidisciplinary team of senior
scientists; advanced coursework in health services research, biostatistics, implementation science, and
qualitative research; experiential learning through the conduct of the proposed research plan; and a highly
supportive research environment. The mentorship team, which includes independent investigators with
expertise in clinical and translational research in hepatology (Chalasani), health services research and
implementation science (Boustani), palliative care and consensus methodology (Sachs), and observational and
longitudinal data analysis and biostatistics (Gao), will guide the candidate's research and career development.
The research environment at Indiana University includes multidisciplinary collaborative organizations such as
the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute and the Center for Health Innovation and
Implementation Science, which will help foster the candidate's professional growth and career development. At
the conclusion of this program, the candidate will be well positioned to become an independent physician-
scientist conducting high quality health services research in cirrhosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10384144
- **Project number:** 3K23DK109202-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Eric Orman
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $90,050
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2016-09-15 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10384144

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10384144, Unplanned Early Readmissions of Hospitalized Patients with Cirrhosis (3K23DK109202-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-30 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10384144. Licensed CC0.

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