Declining length of stay for patients hospitalized with AMI: impact on mortality and readmissions

Young Women With Acute Myocardial Infarction: Risk Prediction Model for 1-Year Hospital Readmission

Background

Although young women ( aged ≤ 55 years) are at higher risk than similarly aged men for hospital readmission within 1 year after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), no risk prediction models have been developed for them. The present study developed and internally validated a risk prediction model of 1-year post-AMI hospital readmission among young women that considered demographic, clinical, and gender-related variables.

Methods

We used data from the US Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients (VIRGO) study (n = 2007 women), a prospective observational study of young patients hospitalized with AMI. Bayesian model averaging was used for model selection and bootstrapping for internal validation. Model calibration and discrimination were respectively assessed with calibration plots and area under the curve.

Results

Within 1-year post-AMI, 684 women (34.1%) were readmitted to the hospital at least once. The final model predictors included: any in-hospital complication, baseline perceived physical health, obstructive coronary artery disease, diabetes, history of congestive heart failure, low income ( < $30,000 US), depressive symptoms, length of hospital stay, and race (White vs Black). Of the 9 retained predictors, 3 were gender-related. The model was well calibrated and exhibited modest discrimination (area under the curve = 0.66).

Conclusions

Our female-specific risk model was developed and internally validated in a cohort of young female patients hospitalized with AMI and can be used to predict risk of readmission. Whereas clinical factors were the strongest predictors, the model included several gender-related variables (ie, perceived physical health, depression, income level). However, discrimination was modest, indicating that other unmeasured factors contribute to variability in hospital readmission risk among younger women.

Decision-making support systems on extended hospital length of stay: Validation and recalibration of a model for patients with AMI

Background

Cardiovascular diseases are still a significant cause of death and hospitalization. In 2019, circulatory diseases were responsible for 29.9% of deaths in Portugal. These diseases have a significant impact on the hospital length of stay. Length of stay predictive models is an efficient way to aid decision-making in health. This study aimed to validate a predictive model on the extended length of stay in patients with acute myocardial infarction at the time of admission.

Methods

An analysis was conducted to test and recalibrate a previously developed model in the prediction of prolonged length of stay, for a new set of population. The study was conducted based on administrative and laboratory data of patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction events from a public hospital in Portugal from 2013 to 2015.

Results

Comparable performance measures were observed upon the validation and recalibration of the predictive model of extended length of stay. Comorbidities such as shock, diabetes with complications, dysrhythmia, pulmonary edema, and respiratory infections were the common variables found between the previous model and the validated and recalibrated model for acute myocardial infarction.

Conclusion

Predictive models for the extended length of stay can be applied in clinical practice since they are recalibrated and modeled to the relevant population characteristics.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in US Nursing Home Residents With Heart Failure

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is highly prevalent in older adults with heart failure and heart failure is highly prevalent in older adults with COPD. Information is presently lacking about the extent to which COPD and heart failure co-occur among nursing home residents. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of, and factors associated with, COPD among nursing home residents with heart failure. This cross-sectional study included 97,495 long-term stay nursing home residents with heart failure in 2018. The Minimum Data Set 3.0 (MDS) provided information on sociodemographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, and activities of daily living. Heart failure and COPD were defined based on notes at admission, hospitalizations, progress notes, and through physical examination findings. The majority of the study population were ≥75 years old (74.1%), women (67.3%), and Non-Hispanic Whites (77.4%). Nearly 1 in 5 residents had reduced ejection fraction findings, 23.1% had a preserved ejection fraction, and 53.8% of nursing home residents with heart failure had COPD. This pulmonary condition was less frequently noted in women, residents of advanced age, and racial/ethnic minorities and more frequently diagnosed in residents with comorbid conditions such as pneumonia, anxiety, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. We found a high prevalence of COPD, and identified several factors associated with COPD, in nursing home residents with heart failure. Our findings highlight challenges in the clinical management of COPD in nursing home residents with heart failure and how best to meet the care needs of this understudied population.

A Comprehensive Appraisal of Risk Prediction Models for Cardiogenic Shock

ABSTRACT

Despite advances in early revascularization, percutaneous hemodynamic support platforms, and systems of care, cardiogenic shock (CS) remains associated with a mortality rate higher than 50%. Several risk stratification models have been derived since the 1990 s to identify patients at high risk of adverse outcomes. Still, limited information is available on the differences between scoring systems and their relative applicability to both acute myocardial infarction and advanced decompensated heart failure CS. Thus, we reviewed the similarities, differences, and limitations of published CS risk prediction models and herein discuss their suitability to the contemporary management of CS care.

Association between periodontal care and hospitalization with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Each year there are 800,000 myocardial infarctions in the United States. There is an increased risk of hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) for those with periodontal disease. Yet, there is a paucity of knowledge about downstream care of AMI and how this varies with periodontal care status. The authors' aim was to examine the association between periodontal care and AMI hospitalization and 30 days after acute care.

METHODS

Using the MarketScan database, the authors conducted a retrospective cohort study among patients with both dental insurance and medical insurance in 2016 through 2018 who were hospitalized for AMI in 2017.

RESULTS

There were 2,370 patients who had dental and medical coverage for 2016 through 2018 and received oral health care in 2016 through 2017 and had an AMI hospitalization in 2017. Forty-seven percent received regular or other oral health care, 7% received active periodontal care, and 10% received controlled periodontal care. More than one-third of patients (36%) did not have oral health care before the AMI hospitalization. After adjusting for patient characteristics, we found that patients in the controlled periodontal care group were significantly more likely to have visits during the 30 days after AMI hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.07 to 2.47; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that periodontal care was associated with more after AMI visits. This suggests that there is a benefit to incorporating oral health care and medical care to improve AMI outcomes.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Needing periodontal care is associated with more favorable outcomes related to AMI hospitalization. Early intervention to ensure stable periodontal health in patients with risk factors for AMI could reduce downstream hospital resource use.

Safety of early hospital discharge following admission with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention: a nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

The Second Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (PAMI-II) risk score is recommended by guidelines to identify low-risk patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) for an early discharge strategy.

AIMS

We aimed to assess the safety of early discharge (≤2 days) for low-risk STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

Using nationwide data from the SWEDEHEART registry, we identified patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI during the period 2009-2017, of whom 8,092 (26.4%) were identified as low risk with the PAMI-II score. Low-risk patients were stratified according to their length of hospital stay (≤2 days vs >2 days). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, including death, reinfarction treated with PCI, stroke or heart failure hospitalisation) at one year, assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model with propensity score as well as an inverse probability weighting propensity score of average treatment effect to adjust for confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 1,449 (17.9%) patients were discharged ≤2 days from admission. After adjustment, the one-year MACE rate was not higher for patients discharged at >2 days from admission than for patients discharged ≤2 days (4.3% vs 3.2%; adjusted HR 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92-1.87, p=0.14), and no difference was observed regarding any of the individual components of the main outcome. Results were consistent across all subgroups with no difference in MACE between early and late discharge patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Nationwide observational data suggest that early discharge of low-risk patients with STEMI treated with PCI is not associated with an increase in one-year MACE.

Development and Validation of a Risk Prediction Model for 1-Year Readmission Among Young Adults Hospitalized for Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background

Readmission over the first year following hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is common among younger adults (≤55 years). Our aim was to develop/validate a risk prediction model that considered a broad range of factors for readmission within 1 year.

Methods and Results

We used data from the VIRGO (Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients) study, which enrolled young adults aged 18 to 55 years hospitalized with AMI across 103 US hospitals (N=2979). The primary outcome was ≥1 all‐cause readmissions within 1 year of hospital discharge. Bayesian model averaging was used to select the risk model. The mean age of participants was 47.1 years, 67.4% were women, and 23.2% were Black. Within 1 year of discharge for AMI, 905 (30.4%) of participants were readmitted and were more likely to be female, Black, and nonmarried. The final risk model consisted of 10 predictors: depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01–1.05), better physical health (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99), in‐hospital complication of heart failure (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.99–2.08), chronic obstructive pulmomary disease (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.96–1.74), diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.00–1.52), female sex (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.05–1.65), low income (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.89–1.42), prior AMI (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.15–1.87), in‐hospital length of stay (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04–1.23), and being employed (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.69–1.12). The model had excellent calibration and modest discrimination (C statistic=0.67 in development/validation cohorts).

Conclusions

Women and those with a prior AMI, increased depressive symptoms, longer inpatient length of stay and diabetes may be more likely to be readmitted. Notably, several predictors of readmission were psychosocial characteristics rather than markers of AMI severity. This finding may inform the development of interventions to reduce readmissions in young patients with AMI.

The impact of short hospital stay on prognosis after acute myocardial infarction: An analysis from the ACSIS database

BACKGROUND

Current evidence regarding the optimal length of hospital stay (LOS) following myocardial infarction (MI) is limited. This study aimed to examine LOS policy for MI patients and to assess the safety of early discharge.

METHODS

A prospective observational study that included patients with STEMI and NSTEMI enrolled in the Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Survey (ACSIS) during the years 2000-2016. Patients were divided into three subgroups according to their LOS: <3 days (short-LOS), 3-6 days (intermediate-LOS) and >6 days (long-LOS). We compared baseline characteristics, management strategies and clinical outcomes at 30 days and 1 year in these groups.

RESULTS

Ten thousand four hundred and fifty eight patients were enrolled in the study. The LOS of MI patients gradually decreased over time. Short-LOS and intermediate-LOS patients had similar clinical characteristics while patients in the long-LOS group were older with more co-morbidity. There was no difference in the clinical outcomes, including re-MI, arrhythmias, 30 days MACE, and 30 days mortality between the short-LOS and intermediate-LOS groups. However, the rate of re-hospitalizations was higher in the short-LOS group (20.9% vs. 17.8%, p = .004) without evidence of increased cardiovascular events. In multivariate analysis, the LOS did not predict either 30 days mortality (HR: 1.3; CI:0.45-5.48), nor MACE at 30 days (HR: 1.1; CI:0.79-1.56).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that an early discharge strategy of up to 3 days from admission is safe for low and intermediate-risk patients after both STEMI and NSTEMI. Nevertheless, this strategy is associated with an increased risk of potential avoidable readmission and there might be psychological and social factors that may warrant a longer stay.

The transition from hospital to home following acute coronary syndrome: an exploratory qualitative study of patient perceptions and early experiences in two countries

OBJECTIVES

Following acute coronary syndrome (ACS), it is standard practice for stable patients to be discharged as quickly as possible from hospital. If patients are not adequately supported at this time, issues such as readmission can occur. We report findings from an exploratory qualitative study investigating the perceptions and early experiences of patients transitioning from hospitals in the UK and USA to home following ACS.

METHODS

Within 1 month of discharge, we conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with patients hospitalised for ACS (UK: n = 8; USA: n = 9). Data were analysed using the Framework Method.

KEY FINDINGS

We identified four superordinate themes. Coping, adjustment and management: Patients were still adjusting to the physical limitations caused by their event but most had begun to implement positive lifestyle changes. Gaps in care transition: Poor communication and organisation postdischarge resulted in delayed follow-up for some patients causing considerable frustration. Quality of care from hospital to home: Patients experienced varied inpatient care quality but had largely positive interactions in primary/community care. Pharmacy input during care transition was viewed favourably in both countries. Medication-taking beliefs and behaviour: Patients reported good initial adherence to treatment but side effects were a concern.

CONCLUSIONS

ACS patients experienced gaps in care early in the transition from hospital to home. Poor communication and uncoordinated support postdischarge negatively impacted patient experience. Further research is needed to determine how patients' early experiences following ACS can affect longer-term outcomes including healthcare engagement and treatment maintenance.

Utility of Zwolle Risk Score in Guiding Low-Risk STEMI Discharge

BACKGROUND

Despite emerging evidence suggesting that selected patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated successfully with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) may be considered for early discharge, STEMI patients are typically hospitalised longer to monitor for serious complications.

METHODS

We assessed the feasibility of identifying low-risk STEMI patients in our institution for early discharge using the Zwolle risk score (ZRS). We evaluated consecutive STEMI patients who underwent successful PPCI within the period 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017. Low-risk was defined as ZRS≤3. Demographic, angiographic characteristics, length of stay (LOS), and 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as cardiac death, stroke, congestive cardiac failure, and non-fatal myocardial infarction, were recorded.

RESULTS

There were 183 STEMI patients in our study cohort (mean age 62.0±12.2 years, 77.0% male). The median ZRS was 2 (interquartile range 1-4) with 132 (72.1%) patients classified as low-risk. The overall 30-day MACE and mortality rates were 10.4% and 3.3% respectively. None of the 35 (26.5%) low-risk patients who were discharged within 72 hours experienced MACE at 30 days. Low-risk STEMI patients had significantly shorter median LOS (86.3 vs. 93.2 hours, p=0.002), lower 30-day MACE (4.5% vs. 25.5%, p<0.0001) and mortality (0% vs. 11.8%, p<0.0001) compared to high-risk group (ZRS>3). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses for ZRS in predicting 30-day MACE and mortality yielded C-statistics of 0.79 (95%CI 0.68-0.90, p<0.0001) and 0.98 (95%CI 0.95-1.00, p<0.0001) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Low-risk STEMI patients stratified by Zwolle risk score, who were treated successfully with PPCI, experienced low 30-day MACE and mortality rates, indicating that early discharge may be safe in these patients. Larger studies are warranted to evaluate the safety of ZRS-guided early discharge of STEMI patients, as well as the economic and psychological impacts.

Factors associated with return to work following myocardial infarction: A systematic review of observational studies

OBJECTIVES

To identify and critically synthesise literature on return to work of patients following a myocardial infarction and to identify factors that are associated with this.

BACKGROUND

Understanding when patients return to work after myocardial infarction and what factors are associated with this may be helpful in designing person-centred treatment plans to facilitate patients' rehabilitation and return to work.

DESIGN

A narrative systematic review.

REVIEW METHODS

Six databases, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, EMBASE, SCOPUS and ProQuest Health and Medicine, and the search engine Google were searched to retrieve peer-reviewed articles published in English from January 2008-January 2020. In total, 22,217 papers were sourced and screened, with 18 papers retained for quality appraisal using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools.

RESULTS

The mean time to return to work varied between 46-192 days; about half the participants resumed work by 3 months. Patients who were male, younger, educated, non-manual workers or owned their own business, and those who evaluated their general and mental health highly, and had shorter hospitalisation, fewer comorbidities, complications and mental health issues were more likely to return to work after myocardial infarction.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Findings may help nurses detect patients at increased risk of failure to return to work and provide appropriate support to facilitate this.

ECG clues for false ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction activations

BACKGROUND

Rapid diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is crucial for appropriate management. Catheterization for a false STEMI activation has risks including exposure to contrast agent and radiation, increased healthcare costs and delay in treatment of the primary medical condition.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a single center retrospective study including all 'cath alerts' between January 2012 and December 2015. 'Cath alert' is a term used to activate the interventional cardiology team when STEMI is suspected by the emergency department physicians based on review of the initial ECG. We reviewed all STEMI alerts to understand ECG differences between true and false STEMI.

RESULTS

Our study population (N = 361) included 221 (61%) men and 140 (39%) women, with average age 60 ± 4.2 years. Among the 361 STEMI alerts, 82 (22.7%) did not have acute coronary syndrome. Common ECG causes of misdiagnosis included left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH, found in 40/82, 49%), early repolarization changes (20/82, 24%), right bundle branch block (RBBB) (13/82, 16%), and Brugada pattern (3/82, 4%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that LVH and RBBB were independent predictors of nonacute coronary syndrome false STEMI (odds ratio: 0.54; 95% confidence interval: 0.32-0.93; P = 0.03 for LVH, and odds ratio: 0.26, 95% confidence interval: 0.1-0.62, P = 0.004 for RBBB).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of false STEMI alerts was almost 23% at our center. This number might be reduced with additional training of emergency department physicians in ECG interpretation, and recognition of common causes of misdiagnosis such as LVH, early repolarization changes, RBBB, and Brugada pattern.

Temporal Trends and Factors Associated With Prolonged Length of Stay in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Improved procedural techniques and process of care initiatives have decreased length of stay (LOS) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, there remains a subset of patients who continue to require longer LOS. We used the 2005 to 2014 National Inpatient Sample databases to identify all hospitalizations for PPCI for STEMI in patients ≥18 years of age. Hospitalizations in which patients were discharged home alive were included. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to examine temporal trends in LOS and to identify independent predictors of longer LOS (LOS >3 days). In 678,545 hospitalizations for PPCI for STEMI, mean ± standard error of mean LOS decreased significantly from 3.3 (±0.04) days to 2.7 (±0.02) days (p_trend<0.001). There was a marked decrease in the proportion of STEMI hospitalizations with LOS >3 days from 31.9% in 2005 to 16.9% in 2014 (p<0.001). Patient demographics, co-morbidities, hospital region, use of mechanical circulatory support, and periprocedural complications were independently associated with longer LOS. In conclusion, LOS for hospitalizations for PPCI for STEMI has decreased significantly over time. Targeting strategies to reduce procedure-related risk may translate into shorter LOS.

Discharge timing and outcomes after uncomplicated non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Length of stay after non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) continues to decrease, but information to guide duration of hospitalization is limited.

METHODS

We used landmark analyses, in which the landmark defined potential days of discharge, to estimate complication rates on the first day the patient would have been out of the hospital, and estimated associations between timing of discharge and 30-day and 1-year event-free survival after discharge among NSTEMI patients.

RESULTS

Among 20,410 NSTEMI patients, median length of stay was 7 (4, 12) days; 3,209 (15.7%) experienced a cardiac complication on days 0 to 2 and 1,322 (6.5%) were discharged without complications during hospital days 0 to 2. At the start of day 3, 15,879 patients (77.8%) were still hospitalized without complications. Of these, 1,689 (10.6%) were discharged event-free on day 3. Adjusted event-free survival rates of death or myocardial infarction from day 4 to 30 days after among the 1,689 patients was 99.1% compared with 93.1% for the 14,190 who remained hospitalized at the end of day 3. For 1-year mortality, these rates were 98.1% and 96.4%, respectively. Among 13,334 patients hospitalized without complications at the start of day 4, 1,706 were discharged event-free that day. Adjusted survival rates among these patients, compared with those still hospitalized at the end of day 4, were 98.0% versus 93.7% for 30-day death or myocardial infarction and 97.8% versus 96.1% for 1-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with NSTEMI who had no serious complications during the first 2 hospital days were at low risk of subsequent short- and intermediate-term death or ischemic events.

Use of haloperidol versus atypical antipsychotics and risk of in-hospital death in patients with acute myocardial infarction: cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the risk of in-hospital mortality associated with haloperidol compared with atypical antipsychotics in patients admitted to hospital with acute myocardial infarction.

DESIGN

Cohort study using a healthcare database.

SETTING

Nationwide sample of patient data from more than 700 hospitals across the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

6578 medical patients aged more than 18 years who initiated oral haloperidol or oral atypical antipsychotics (olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone) during a hospital admission with a primary diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction between 2003 and 2014.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

In-hospital mortality during seven days of follow-up from treatment initiation.

RESULTS

Among 6578 patients (mean age 75.2 years) treated with an oral antipsychotic drug, 1668 (25.4%) initiated haloperidol and 4910 (74.6%) initiated atypical antipsychotics. The mean time from admission to start of treatment (5.3 v 5.6 days) and length of stay (12.5 v 13.6 days) were similar, but the mean treatment duration was shorter in patients using haloperidol compared with those using atypical antipsychotics (2.4 v 3.9 days). 1:1 propensity score matching was used to adjust for confounding. In intention to treat analyses with the matched cohort, the absolute rate of death per 100 person days was 1.7 for haloperidol (129 deaths) and 1.1 for atypical antipsychotics (92 deaths) during seven days of follow-up from treatment initiation. The survival probability was 0.93 in patients using haloperidol and 0.94 in those using atypical antipsychotics at day 7, accounting for the loss of follow-up due to hospital discharge. The unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios of death were 1.51 (95% confidence interval 1.22 to 1.85) and 1.50 (1.14 to 1.96), respectively. The association was strongest during the first four days of follow-up and decreased over time. By day 5, the increased risk was no longer evident (1.12, 0.79 to 1.59). In the as-treated analyses, the unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios were 1.90 (1.43 to 2.53) and 1.93 (1.34 to 2.76), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest a small increased risk of death within seven days of initiating haloperidol compared with initiating an atypical antipsychotic in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Although residual confounding cannot be excluded, this finding deserves consideration when haloperidol is used for patients admitted to hospital with cardiac morbidity.

Hospital Readmission Rates Following AMI: Potential Interventions to Improve Efficiency

OBJECTIVES

Quality of care utilization measures for patients admitted to the hospital with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) include length of stay (LOS) and 30-day readmission rates. Our aim was to test whether efforts resulting in reduced LOS in patients diagnosed as having AMI would result in a higher risk of readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge and whether specific interventions could be targeted to reduce readmissions.

METHODS

Using data supplied by the Veterans Affairs Inpatient Evaluation Center, we analyzed both the readmissions within 30 days of an AMI and LOS and determined the timing of readmissions and associated diagnoses.

RESULTS

During 2013-2015, 35 (13.3%) of 263 patients with AMI were readmitted within 30 days of discharge compared with 19 (13.4%) of 142 patients during 2016 (not significant). During the same time, LOS was <3 days in most patients. From 2013 to 2015, the initial hospital time was 6 ± 6 days, whereas time out of the hospital before readmission was 11 ± 8 days; these times did not differ from 2016. Initial therapeutic decisions were based on coronary anatomy in >90% of patients with a decision to proceed with revascularization in most patients. Diagnoses during readmission to the hospital were also similar during early and later time periods and most frequently were a result of either coronary artery bypass grafting-related complications from the initial hospitalization or elective coronary artery bypass grafting. Acute coronary syndrome-related diagnoses and recurrent noncardiac causes of chest pain also were common diagnoses during both time periods and did not involve extensive workup during the readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Readmissions for patients with AMI were stable during a 4-year period, at a time that efforts to reduce LOS were emphasized. Because a significant proportion of readmissions involved noncardiac sources of chest pain, improved communication between the emergency department and in-patient cardiology services at the time of triage may be a feasible way to improve efficiency of utilization.

Plasticity in central neural drive with short-term disuse and recovery - effects on muscle strength and influence of aging

While short-term disuse negatively affects mechanical muscle function (e.g. isometric muscle strength) little is known of the relative contribution of adaptions in central neural drive and peripheral muscle contractility. The present study investigated the relative contribution of adaptations in central neural drive and peripheral muscle contractility on changes in isometric muscle strength following short-term unilateral disuse (4 days, knee brace) and subsequent active recovery (7 days, one session of resistance training) in young (n = 11, 24 yrs) and old healthy men (n = 11, 67 yrs). Maximal isometric knee extensor strength (MVC) (isokinetic dynamometer), voluntary muscle activation (superimposed twitch technique), and electrically evoked muscle twitch force (single and doublet twitch stimulation) were assessed prior to and after disuse, and after recovery. Following disuse, relative decreases in MVC did not differ statistically between old (16.4 ± 3.7%, p < 0.05) and young (-9.7 ± 2.9%, p < 0.05) (mean ± SE), whereas voluntary muscle activation decreased more (p < 0.05) in old (-8.4 ± 3.5%, p < 0.05) compared to young (-1.1 ± 1.0%, ns) as did peak single (-25.8 ± 6.6%, p < 0.05 vs -7.6 ± 3.3%, p < 0.05) and doublet twitch force (-23.2 ± 5.5%, p < 0.05 vs -2.0 ± 2.6%, ns). All parameters were restored in young following 7 days recovery, whereas MVC and peak twitch force remained suppressed in old. Regression analysis revealed that disuse-induced changes in MVC relied more on changes in single twitch force in young (p < 0.05) and more on changes in voluntary muscle activation in old (p < 0.05), whereas recovery-induced changes in MVC mainly were explained by gains in voluntary muscle activation in both young and old. Altogether, the present data demonstrate that plasticity in voluntary muscle activation (~central neural drive) is a dominant mechanism affecting short-term disuse- and recovery-induced changes in muscle strength in older adults.

Trends in Length of Hospital Stay and the Impact on Prognosis of Early Discharge After a First Uncomplicated Acute Myocardial Infarction

Few studies have examined recent trends in the length of stay (LOS) among patients hospitalized with a first uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the impact of early hospital discharge on various short-term outcomes in these low-risk patients. We used data from 1,501 residents hospitalized with a first uncomplicated AMI from all central Massachusetts medical centers on a biennial basis between 2001 and 2011. The association between hospital LOS and subsequent hospital readmission or death was examined using logistic regression modeling. The average age of the study population was 63.7 years, 63.0% were men, and 91.4% were non-Hispanic whites. The average hospital LOS declined from 4.1 days in 2001 to 2.9 days in 2011. During the years under study, the average 30-day hospital readmission rate was 11.9%, whereas the 30- and 90-day death rates were 1.5% and 2.9%, respectively. The multivariable adjusted odds ratio of a 30-day hospital readmission (odds ratio [OR] = 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52 to 1.41), or 30-day (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.29 to 2.98) and 90-day (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.36 to 2.20) death rates were not significantly different between patients who were discharged from central Massachusetts medical centers during the first 2 days as compared with those discharged thereafter. In conclusion, the average LOS in patients with a first uncomplicated AMI declined during the years under study, and early discharge from the hospital at day 2 or sooner of these low-risk patients does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of adverse events post discharge compared with those discharged at a later time.

Epidemiological Profile of Hispanics Admitted With Acute Myocardial Infarction in Puerto Rico: The Experience of 2007, 2009 and 2011

BACKGROUND

A limited number of studies have been published about coronary artery disease in Hispanics, particularly among the Puerto Rican population. The aim of this study was to present a clinical epidemiological profile and management practices in patients hospitalized in Puerto Rico with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

This secondary data analysis from the Puerto Rico Cardiovascular Surveillance Study included 6,162 patients at 19 hospitals in Puerto Rico, during years 2007, 2009 and 2011.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients diagnosed with AMI was 67 ± 13.6 years old, with women being older than men (P < 0.001). Women had a different risk factor burden when compared to men. Car/walked in was the principal mode of hospital transportation (65.9%). Women received less medications and cardiac procedures when compared to men. While no significant differences in length of hospital stay (LOS) were observed between genders, in-hospital mortality rate was higher in females when compared with males (6.5% vs. 4.5%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Prompt initiatives should be implemented to raise awareness, reduce gender disparities and improve outcomes in patients hospitalized with an AMI in Puerto Rico.

Trends in Incidence of Hospitalized Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Cardiovascular Research Network (CVRN)

BACKGROUND

Monitoring trends in cardiovascular events can provide key insights into the effectiveness of prevention efforts. Leveraging data from electronic health records provides a unique opportunity to examine contemporary, community-based trends in acute myocardial infarction hospitalizations.

METHODS

We examined trends in hospitalized acute myocardial infarction incidence among adults aged ≥25 years in 13 US health plans in the Cardiovascular Research Network. The first hospitalization per member for acute myocardial infarction overall and for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction was identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification primary discharge codes in each calendar year from 2000 through 2008. Age- and sex-adjusted incidence was calculated per 100,000 person-years using direct adjustment with 2000 US census data.

RESULTS

Between 2000 and 2008, we identified 125,435 acute myocardial infarction hospitalizations. Age- and sex-adjusted incidence rates (per 100,000 person-years) of acute myocardial infarction decreased an average 3.8%/y from 230.5 in 2000 to 168.6 in 2008. Incidence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction decreased 8.7%/y from 104.3 in 2000 to 51.7 in 2008, whereas incidence of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction increased from 126.1 to 129.4 between 2000 and 2004 and then decreased thereafter to 116.8 in 2008. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates generally reflected similar patterns, with relatively larger decreases in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction rates in women compared with men. As compared with 2000, the age-adjusted incidence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in 2008 was 48% lower among men and 61% lower among women.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among a large, diverse, multicenter community-based insured population, there were significant decreases in incidence of hospitalized acute myocardial infarction and the more serious ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions between 2000 and 2008. Decreases in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions were most pronounced among women. While ecologic in nature, these secular decreases likely reflect, at least in part, results of improvement in primary prevention efforts.

Predictors of 30-day hospital readmission after hip fracture: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Early readmission to hospital after hip fracture is associated with increased mortality and significant costs to the healthcare system. There is growing interest in the use of 30-day readmission rates as a metric of hospital performance. Identifying patients at increased risk of readmission after hip fracture may enable pre-emptive action to mitigate this risk and the development of effective methods of risk-adjustment to allow readmission to be used as a reliable measure of hospital performance.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of bibliographic databases and reference lists up to July 2016 to identify primary research papers assessing the effect of patient- and hospital-related risk factors for 30-day readmission to hospital after hip fracture.

RESULTS

495 papers were found through electronic and reference search. 65 full papers were assessed for eligibility. 22 met inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. Medical causes of readmission were significantly more common than surgical causes, with pneumonia consistently being cited as the most common readmission diagnosis. Age, pre-existing pulmonary disease and neurological disorders were strong independent predictors of readmission. ASA grade and functional status were more robust predictors of readmission than the Charlson score or individual co-morbidities. Hospital-related risk factors including initial length of stay, hospital size and volume, time to surgery and type of anaesthesia did not have a consistent effect on readmission risk. Discharge location and the strength of hospital-discharge facility linkage were important determinants of risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-related risk factors such as age, co-morbidities and functional status are stronger predictors of 30-day readmission risk after hip fracture than hospital-related factors. Rates of 30-day readmission may not be a valid reflection of hospital performance unless a clear distinction can be made between modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. We identify a number of deficiencies in the existing literature and highlight key areas for future research.

Using decision trees to explore the association between the length of stay and potentially avoidable readmissions: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

There is a growing concern that reduction in hospital length of stay (LOS) may raise the rate of hospital readmission. This study aims to identify the rate of avoidable 30-day readmission and find out the association between LOS and readmission.

METHODS

All consecutive patient admissions to the internal medicine services (n = 5,273) at King Abdullah University Hospital in Jordan between 1 December 2012 and 31 December 2013 were analyzed. To identify avoidable readmissions, a validated computerized algorithm called SQLape was used. The multinomial logistic regression was firstly employed. Then, detailed analysis was performed using the Decision Trees (DTs) model, one of the most widely used data mining algorithms in Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS).

RESULTS

The potentially avoidable 30-day readmission rate was 44%, and patients with longer LOS were more likely to be readmitted avoidably. However, LOS had a significant negative effect on unavoidable readmissions.

CONCLUSIONS

The avoidable readmission rate is still highly unacceptable. Because LOS potentially increases the likelihood of avoidable readmission, it is still possible to achieve a shorter LOS without increasing the readmission rate. Moreover, the way the DT model classified patient subgroups of readmissions based on patient characteristics and LOS is applicable in real clinical decisions.

The effect of short message system (SMS) reminder on adherence to a healthy diet, medication, and cessation of smoking among adult patients with cardiovascular diseases

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular Disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Non-adherence to a recommended regimen among patients with Cardiovascular Diseases represents a significant problem which could lead to an increase in Cardiovascular Diseases.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the effects of Short Message System (SMS) reminders on adherence to a healthy diet, medication, and cessation of smoking among adult patients with Cardiovascular Diseases.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trial design with three groups was used for this study. A non-probability convenient sample of 160 patients was recruited in this study. The participants were assigned randomly to an experimental group (received SMS regarding adherence to a healthy diet, medication, and smoking cessation), placebo group (received general messages) and control group (routine care). Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS), Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), and Readiness to Quit Ladder, were used to assess patients' adherence to medication, adherence to Mediterranean diet, and smoking cessation, respectively. The outcomes were assessed at the beginning of the study and three months later, following completion of the intervention.

RESULT

One way ANONVA was used to assess the study hypothesis. Significant differences between study groups found in terms of adherence to medication (p=.001) and adherence to a healthy diet (p=.000); however, no significant difference was found between groups, in terms of intention to quit smoking, and/or the number of cigarettes smoked (p= .327), (p=.34), respectively.

CONCLUSION

It is documented that SMS is effective in improving adherence to a healthy diet and medication. SMS could be a promising solution for management of different chronic diseases.

IMPLICATION OF THE STUDY

It is recommended to apply Short Message System (SMS) via cellphone services to improve patient's adherence to a healthy diet and medication. However, further research is needed to support the effectiveness of SMS.

Predicting Persistent Left Ventricular Dysfunction Following Myocardial Infarction: The PREDICTS Study

BACKGROUND

Persistent severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with increased mortality and is a class I indication for implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator.

OBJECTIVES

This study developed models and assessed independent predictors of LV recovery to >35% and ≥50% after 90-day follow-up in patients presenting with acute MI and severe LV dysfunction.

METHODS

Our multicenter prospective observational study enrolled participants with ejection fraction (EF) of ≤35% at the time of MI (n = 231). Predictors for EF recovery to >35% and ≥50% were identified after multivariate modeling and validated in a separate cohort (n = 236).

RESULTS

In the PREDICTS (PREDiction of ICd Treatment Study) study, 43% of patients had persistent EF ≤35%, 31% had an EF of 36% to 49%, and 26% had an EF ≥50%. The model that best predicted recovery of EF to >35% included EF at presentation, length of stay, prior MI, lateral wall motion abnormality at presentation, and peak troponin. The model that best predicted recovery of EF to ≥50% included EF at presentation, peak troponin, prior MI, and presentation with ventricular fibrillation or cardiac arrest. After predictors were transformed into point scores, the lowest point scores predicted a 9% and 4% probability of EF recovery to >35% and ≥50%, respectively, whereas profiles with the highest point scores predicted an 87% and 49% probability of EF recovery to >35% and ≥50%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with severe systolic dysfunction following acute MI with an EF ≤35%, 57% had EF recovery to >35%. A model using clinical variables present at the time of MI can help predict EF recovery.

Perceiving one's heart condition to be cured following hospitalization for acute coronary syndromes: Implications for patient-provider communication

OBJECTIVE

We examined the proportion of patients perceiving their heart condition to be cured following hospitalization for ACS and identified characteristics associated with these perceptions.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study of adults hospitalized with ACS (N=396). Patient interviews during hospitalization and one week post-discharge provided demographic and psychosocial characteristics. Medical records provided clinical characteristics. At one week, patients who rated "My heart condition is cured" as "definitely true" or "mostly true" were considered to perceive their heart condition cured.

RESULTS

Participants were aged 60.7 (SD:11.0) years, 26.5% female, and 89.0% non-Hispanic white; 16.7% had unstable angina, 59.6% NSTEMI, and 23.7% STEMI. One week post-discharge, 30.3% perceived their heart condition to be cured. Characteristics associated with cure perceptions were older age (OR=2.2; 95% CI: 1.2-4.0 for ≥65 years vs <55 years), male sex (OR=2.4; 95%CI: 1.3-4.2), history of hypertension (OR=1.8; 95%CI: 1.1-3.1), history of stroke (OR=4.2; 95%CI: 1.1-16.7), no history of CHD (OR=2.8; 95%CI: 1.6-4.9), and receipt of CABG during hospitalization (OR=4.8, 95%CI: 1.9-12.0 vs medical management).

CONCLUSION

One week post-discharge, 3 in 10 patients perceived their heart condition to be cured.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Conversations with patients should frame ACS as a chronic disease and dispel cure perceptions.

Readiness for Hospital Discharge, Health Literacy, and Social Living Status

Patient characteristics and lack of preparedness are associated with poor outcomes after hospital discharge. Our purpose was to explore the association between patient characteristics and patient- and nurse-completed Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS). We conducted a prospective study of 70 Veterans being discharged from medical and surgical units. Differences in RHDS knowledge subscale scores were found among literacy levels, with lower perceived knowledge reported for those with marginal or inadequate literacy (p = .03). Differences in RHDS expected support subscale scores were also found, with those who were unmarried and/or living alone (p < .001) anticipating less support upon discharge. No other differences were found. Similar differences were found for the RHDS completed by nurses. These findings suggest that the RHDS appears responsive to differences in health literacy and social environment, adding to evidence of its utility as a tool to identify, and plan interventions for, those at risk for readmission.

Has variation in length of stay in acute hospitals decreased? Analysing trends in the variation in LOS between and within Dutch hospitals

Background

We aimed to get better insight into the development of the variation in length of stay (LOS) between and within hospitals over time, in order to assess the room for efficiency improvement in hospital care.

Methods

Using Dutch national individual patient-level hospital admission data, we studied LOS for patients in nine groups of diagnoses and procedures between 1995 and 2010. We fitted linear mixed effects models to the log-transformed LOS to disentangle within and between hospital variation and to evaluate trends, adjusted for case-mix.

Results

We found substantial differences between diagnoses and procedures in LOS variation and development over time, supporting our disease-specific approach. For none of the diagnoses, relative variance decreased on the log scale, suggesting room for further LOS reduction. Except for two procedures in the same specialty, LOS of individual hospitals did not correlate between diagnoses/procedures, indicating the absence of a hospital wide policy. We found within-hospital variance to be many times greater than between-hospital variance. This resulted in overlapping confidence intervals across most hospitals for individual hospitals’ performances in terms of LOS.

Conclusions

The results suggest room for efficiency improvement implying lower costs per patient treated. It further implies a possibility to raise the number of patients treated using the same capacity or to downsize the capacity. Furthermore, policymakers and health care purchasers should take into account statistical uncertainty when benchmarking LOS between hospitals and identifying inefficient hospitals.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-015-1087-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Applicability of the Zwolle risk score for safe early discharge after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

The optimal length of stay for patients with uncomplicated ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is still undetermined. The Zwolle risk score (ZRS) is a simple tool designed to identify patients who can be safely discharged within 72 hours. The purpose of this study was to assess the applicability and performance of the ZRS in our population.

METHODS

We studied 276 consecutive patients (mean age 62 ± 14 years, 75% male, 20% Killip class >1) admitted over a two-year period for STEMI and treated with PPCI. ZRS, length of stay, 30-day mortality and readmission were obtained for all patients. Low risk was defined as ZRS ≤ 3.

RESULTS

The median ZRS was 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 1-4), with 171 patients (62%) being classified as low risk. Thirty-day mortality was 4.7% (13 patients). Compared to other patients, low-risk patients had shorter length of stay (median 5.0 [IQR 4-7] vs. 7.0 [5-13] days, p<0.001), and lower 30-day mortality (0 vs. 12.4%, p<0.001), yielding a negative predictive value of 100% (95% CI 97.0-100%) for the proposed cutoff. The ZRS showed excellent discriminative power (C-statistic: 0.937, 95% CI 0.906-0.968, p<0.001), and good calibration against the original cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The ZRS appears to perform well in identifying low-risk STEMI patients who could be safely discharged within 72 hours of admission. Using the ZRS in our population could result in a more rational use of in-patient resources.

Higher 30-day and 60-day readmissions among patients who refuse post acute care services

OBJECTIVES

To compare patients who accepted ("acceptors") post acute care services (PAC) with those who were offered services and refused ("refusers") in terms of their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, quality of life, health-related problems, and unmet needs; and to examine the association between refusing PAC services and the risk for 30- and 60-day readmission.

STUDY DESIGN

Secondary data analysis from a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Bivariate analysis and logistic regressions were used to examine the association between refusing PAC services and 30- and 60-day readmission.

RESULTS

A convenience sample of 495 PAC-referred patients 55 years and older discharged from 2 large academic medical centers in the northeastern United States completed the study questionnaires, with a resulting 28% (n = 139) that refused PAC services. Refusers were significantly younger (average age 68 years vs 73 years; P < .001), as well as more likely to be married (62% vs 46%; P < .001), privately insured (35% vs 18%; P < .001), and with lower risk of mortality/severity of illness. Refusers also had shorter hospital stays (4.8 days vs 7.5 days; P < .001); higher quality of life after discharge (0.83 vs 0.73; P < .001); and fewer unmet needs after discharge. However, refusers had higher 30-day (21% vs 16%; P = .17) and 60-day (31% vs 25%; P = .18) readmission rates; with logistic regression showing about twice-higher odds of 30-day (OR [odds ratio], 2.13; 95% CI, 1.11-3.02; P = .01) and 60-day (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.11-3.02; P = .02) readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

PAC refusers are younger, better educated, and healthier, but they have twice-higher odds of 30- and 60-day readmissions, compared with PAC acceptors. Further investigation into reasons for PAC refusal is critical to foster enhanced patient communication regarding PAC services, improve rates of service acceptance, and ultimately decrease readmissions.

Trends in management and outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction in patients with end-stage renal disease in the United States

Acute myocardial infarction in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Limited data are available on the contemporary trends in management and outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients with ESRD. We analyzed the 2003 to 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases to examine the temporal trends in STEMI, use of mechanical revascularization for STEMI, and in-hospital outcomes in patients with ESRD aged ≥18 years in the United States. From 2003 to 2011, whereas the number of patients with ESRD admitted with the primary diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction increased from 13,322 to 20,552, there was a decrease in the number of STEMI hospitalizations from 3,169 to 2,558 (ptrend <0.001). The overall incidence rate of cardiogenic shock in patients with ESRD and STEMI increased from 6.6% to 18.3% (ptrend <0.001). The use of percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI increased from 18.6% to 37.8% (ptrend <0.001), whereas there was no significant change in the use of coronary artery bypass grafting (ptrend = 0.32). During the study period, in-hospital mortality increased from 22.3% to 25.3% (adjusted odds ratio [per year] 1.09; 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.11; ptrend <0.001). The average hospital charges increased from $60,410 to $97,794 (ptrend <0.001), whereas the average length of stay decreased from 8.2 to 6.5 days (ptrend <0.001). In conclusion, although there have been favorable trends in the utilization of percutaneous coronary intervention and length of stay in patients with ESRD and STEMI, the incidence of cardiogenic shock has increased threefold, with an increase in risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality, likely because of the presence of greater co-morbidities.

Does cardiac rehabilitation after an acute cardiac syndrome lead to changes in physical activity habits? Systematic review

BACKGROUND

Optimal physical activity levels have health benefits for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and are an important goal of cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to systematically review literature regarding short-term effects (<6 months after completion of CR) and long-term effects (≥6 months after completion) of standard CR on physical activity levels in patients with ACS.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PEDro were systematically searched for relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published from 1990 until 2012.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized clinical trials investigating CR for patients with ACS reporting physical activity level were reviewed.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers independently selected articles, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. Results were summarized with a best evidence synthesis. Results were categorized as: (1) center-based/home-based CR versus no intervention, (2) comparison of different durations of CR, and (3) comparison of 2 types of CR.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 26 RCTs were included. Compared with no intervention, there was, at most, conflicting evidence for center-based CR and moderate evidence for home-based CR for short-term effectiveness. Limited evidence and no evidence were found for long-term maintenance for center-based and home-based CR, respectively. When directly compared with center-based CR, moderate evidence showed that home-based CR has better long-term effects. There was no clear evidence that increasing training volume, extending duration of CR, or adding an extra intervention to CR is more effective.

LIMITATIONS

Because of the variety of CR interventions in the included RCTs and the variety of outcome measures in the included RCTs, pooling of data was not possible. Therefore, a best evidence synthesis was used.

CONCLUSIONS

It would appear that center-based CR is not sufficient to improve and maintain physical activity habits. Home-based programs might be more successful, but the literature on these programs is limited. More research on finding successful interventions to improve activity habits is needed.

National trends in hospital length of stay for acute myocardial infarction in China

BACKGROUND

China is experiencing increasing burden of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the face of limited medical resources. Hospital length of stay (LOS) is an important indicator of resource utilization.

METHODS

We used data from the Retrospective AMI Study within the China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events, a nationally representative sample of patients hospitalized for AMI during 2001, 2006, and 2011. Hospital-level variation in risk-standardized LOS (RS-LOS) for AMI, accounting for differences in case mix and year, was examined with two-level generalized linear mixed models. A generalized estimating equation model was used to evaluate hospital characteristics associated with LOS. Absolute differences in RS-LOS and 95% confidence intervals were reported.

RESULTS

The weighted median and mean LOS were 13 and 14.6 days, respectively, in 2001 (n = 1,901), 11 and 12.6 days in 2006 (n = 3,553), and 11 and 11.9 days in 2011 (n = 7,252). There was substantial hospital level variation in RS-LOS across the 160 hospitals, ranging from 9.2 to 18.1 days. Hospitals in the Central regions had on average 1.6 days (p = 0.02) shorter RS-LOS than those in the Eastern regions. All other hospital characteristics relating to capacity for AMI treatment were not associated with LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a marked decline over the past decade, the mean LOS for AMI in China in 2011 remained long compared with international standards. Inter-hospital variation is substantial even after adjusting for case mix. Further improvement of AMI care in Chinese hospitals is critical to further shorten LOS and reduce unnecessary hospital variation.

Encephalitis hospitalization rates and inpatient mortality in the United States, 2000-2010

Background

Encephalitis rates by etiology and acute-phase outcomes for encephalitis in the 21^st century are largely unknown. We sought to evaluate cause-specific rates of encephalitis hospitalizations and predictors of inpatient mortality in the United States.

Methods

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2000 to 2010, a retrospective observational study of 238,567 patients (mean [SD] age, 44.8 [24.0] years) hospitalized within non-federal, acute care hospitals in the U.S. with a diagnosis of encephalitis was conducted. Hospitalization rates were calculated using population-level estimates of disease from the NIS and population estimates from the United States Census Bureau. Adjusted odds of mortality were calculated for patients included in the study.

Results

In the U.S. from 2000–2010, there were 7.3±0.2 encephalitis hospitalizations per 100,000 population (95% CI: 7.1–7.6). Encephalitis hospitalization rates were highest among females (7.6±0.2 per 100,000) and those <1 year and >65 years of age with rates of 13.5±0.9 and 14.1±0.4 per 100,000, respectively. Etiology was unknown for approximately 50% of cases. Among patients with identified etiology, viral causes were most common (48.2%), followed by Other Specified causes (32.5%), which included predominantly autoimmune conditions. The most common infectious agents were herpes simplex virus, toxoplasma, and West Nile virus. Comorbid HIV infection was present in 7.7% of hospitalizations. Average length of stay was 11.2 days with mortality of 5.6%. In regression analysis, patients with comorbid HIV/AIDS or cancer had increased odds of mortality (odds ratio [OR]  = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.30–2.22 and OR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.88–2.71, respectively). Enteroviral, postinfectious, toxic, and Other Specified causes were associated with lower odds vs. herpes simplex encephalitis.

Conclusions

While encephalitis and encephalitis-related mortality impose a considerable burden in the U.S. in the 21^st Century, the reported demographics of hospitalized encephalitis patients may be changing.

Time to rehabilitation in the burn population: incidence of zero onset days in the UDSMR national dataset

A preliminary investigation of the burn rehabilitation population found a large variability of zero onset day frequency between facilities. Onset days is defined as the time from injury to inpatient rehabilitation admission; this variable has not been investigated in burn patients previously. This study explored if this finding was a facility-based phenomena or characteristic of burn inpatient rehabilitation patients. This study was a secondary analysis of Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSmr) data from 2002 to 2007 examining inpatient rehabilitation characteristics among patients with burn injuries. Exclusion criteria were age less than 18 years and discharge against medical advice. Comparisons of demographic, medical and functional data were made between facilities with a high frequency of zero onset days versus facilities with a low frequency of zero onset days. A total of 4738 patients from 455 inpatient rehabilitation facilities were included. Twenty-three percent of the population exhibited zero onset days (n = 1103). Sixteen facilities contained zero onset patients; two facilities accounted for 97% of the zero onset subgroup. Facilities with a high frequency of zero onset day patients demonstrated significant differences in demographic, medical, and functional variables compared to the remainder of the study population. There were significantly more zero onset day admissions among burn patients (23%) than other diagnostic groups (0.5- 3.6%) in the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation database, but the majority (97%) came from two inpatient rehabilitation facilities. It is unexpected for patients with significant burn injury to be admitted to a rehabilitation facility on the day of injury. Future studies investigating burn rehabilitation outcomes using the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation database should exclude facilities with a high percentage of zero onset days, which are not representative of the burn inpatient rehabilitation population.

Safely and effectively reducing inpatient length of stay: a controlled study of the General Internal Medicine Care Transformation Initiative

PURPOSE

Whether improving the efficiency of hospital care will worsen post-discharge outcomes is unclear. We designed this study to evaluate the General Internal Medicine (GIM) Care Transformation Initiative implemented at one of the seven teaching hospitals in the Canadian province of Alberta.

METHODS

Controlled before-after study of GIM patients hospitalised at the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH, intervention site, n=1896) or the six other teaching hospitals in Alberta-three in Edmonton (intra-regional controls (IRC), n=4550) and three in Calgary (extra-regional controls (ERC), n=4095). The primary effectiveness outcome was risk-adjusted length of stay (LOS) and the primary safety outcome was 'mortality during index hospitalisation or all-cause readmission or death within 30-days of discharge'.

RESULTS

LOS for GIM patients decreased by 0.68 days at Alberta teaching hospitals between 2009 and 2012; GIM patients hospitalised at the UAH exhibited a further 20% relative decline in adjusted LOS (total reduction=1.43 days, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.92 days) from PRE to POST. Interrupted time series (ITS) confirmed that the 1.43 day reduction at the UAH was statistically significant (level change p=0.003), while the declines at the IRC (p=0.37) and ERC (p=0.45) were not. Our safety outcome did not change for UAH patients (18.4% PRE-intervention vs 17.8% POST-intervention, adjusted OR 1.02 (95%CI 0.80 to 1.31), p=0.42 on ITS), nor for those hospitalised at the IRC (p=0.33) or the ERC (p=0.73) sites.

CONCLUSIONS

The Care Transformation Initiative was associated with substantial reductions in LOS without increasing post-discharge events commonly quoted as proxies for quality.

Children's hospitals with shorter lengths of stay do not have higher readmission rates

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that children's hospitals with shorter length of stay (LOS) for hospitalized patients have higher all-cause readmission rates.

STUDY DESIGN

Longitudinal, retrospective cohort study of the Pediatric Health Information System of 183616 admissions within 43 US children's hospitals for appendectomy, asthma, gastroenteritis, and seizure between July 2009 and June 2011. Admissions were stratified by medical complexity, based on whether patients had a complex chronic health condition, were neurologically impaired, or were assisted with medical technology. Outcome measures include LOS; all-cause readmission rates within 3, 7, 15, and 30 days; and the association between hospital-specific mean LOS and all-cause readmission rates as determined by linear regression.

RESULTS

Mean LOS was <3 days for all patients across all conditions, except for appendectomy in complex patients (mean LOS 3.7 days, 95% CI 3.47-4.01). Condition-specific 3-, 7-, 15-, and 30-day all-cause readmission rates for noncomplex patients were all <5%. Condition-specific readmission rates for complex patients ranged from <1% at 3 days for seizures to 16% at 30 days for gastroenteritis. There was no linear association between hospital-specific, condition-specific mean LOS, stratified by medical complexity, and all-cause readmission rates at any time interval within 30 days (all P values ≥.10).

CONCLUSION

In children's hospitals, LOS is short and readmission rates are low for asthma, appendectomy, gastroenteritis, and seizure admissions. In the conditions studied, there is no association between shorter hospital-specific LOS and higher readmission rates within the LOS observed.