The American journal of medicine
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Decisions regarding the appropriate timing for transfer of patients hospitalized with congestive heart failure from the coronary care unit (CCU) to the medical ward are often not based on well-founded medical data. We investigated the potential safety and effectiveness of a practice guideline recommending early "step-down" transfer of low-risk patients with congestive heart failure. ⋯ Use of a practice guideline has the potential to reduce the intermediate care unit lengths of stay for selected low-risk patients with congestive heart failure.