• P A Cowper, E D Peterson, E R DeLong, J G Jollis, L H Muhlbaier, and D B Mark.
• Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. cowpe001@mc.duke.edu
• J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 1997 Oct 1;30(4):908-13.

ObjectivesThis study examined the impact of early hospital discharge on short-term clinical outcomes of elderly patients treated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in the United States in 1992.BackgroundProtocols that encourage earlier discharge of patients who have had CABG have been implemented across the country. Although delivery of efficient care benefits both patients and providers, premature discharge can adversely affect clinical outcomes, resulting in increased hospital readmissions and higher long-term costs.MethodsWe examined the prevalence of early discharge (postoperative length of stay < or = 5 days) among 83,347 non-health maintenance organization (HMO) Medicare patients who underwent CABG in the United States in 1992. Using logistic regression models, we identified patient characteristics associated with early discharge and obtained risk-adjusted rates of death and readmission or death for postoperative lengths of stay between 4 and 14 days.ResultsIn 1992, 6% of Medicare patients undergoing CABG were discharged within 5 days of the operation. The prevalence of early discharge varied considerably among states, ranging from 1% to 21%. Patients discharged early tended to be younger and male and have fewer comorbid illnesses. Risk-adjusted rates of death and death or cardiovascular readmission were lowest among patients discharged early.ConclusionsAs of 1992, early discharge of elderly patients treated with CABG in non-HMO settings was not associated with higher 60-day rates of death or readmission. This suggests that physicians were able to identify low risk candidates for early discharge. Variation across the nation in early discharge rates, along with the percentage of patients without major risk factors for adverse outcomes, suggests that higher rates of early discharge might be safely achieved.

23 keywords...

hide…