Reexamining Differences Between Black and White Veterans in Hospital Mortality and Other Outcomes in Veterans Affairs and Other Hospitals

Abstract

Objectives: To examine Black-White patient differences in mortality and other hospital outcomes among Veterans treated in Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA hospitals. Background: Lower hospital mortality has been documented in older Black patients relative to White patients, yet the mechanisms have not been determined. Comparing other hospital outcomes and multiple hospital systems may help inform the reasons for these differences. Methods: Repeated cross-sectional analysis of hospitalization records was conducted for Veterans discharged in VA and non-VA hospitals from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017 in 11 states. Hospital outcomes included 30-day mortality, 30-day readmissions, inpatient costs, and length of stay. Hospitalizations were for acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, gastrointestinal bleeding, heart failure, pneumonia, and stroke. Differences in outcomes were estimated between Black and White patients for VA and non-VA hospitals and age groups younger than 65 years or 65 years and older in regression models adjusting for patient and hospital factors. Results: There were a total of 459,574 study patients. Older Black patients had lower adjusted mortality for acute myocardial infarction, gastrointestinal bleeding, heart failure, and pneumonia. Adjusted probability of readmission was higher and adjusted mean length of stay and costs were greater for older Black patients relative to White patients in non-VA hospitals for several conditions. Fewer differences were observed in younger patients and in VA hospitals. Conclusion: While older Black patients had lower mortality, other outcomes compared poorly with White patients. Differences were not fully explained by observable patient and hospital factors although social determinants may contribute to these differences.