RT Journal
A1 Bueno H, Ross JS, Wang Y, et al
T1 TRends in length of stay and short-term outcomes among medicare patients hospitalized for heart failure, 1993-2006
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2010
FD June 2
VO 303
IS 21
SP 2141
OP 2147
DO 10.1001/jama.2010.748
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2010.748
AB Context 
                  Whether decreases in the length of stay during the past decade for patients with heart failure (HF) may be associated with changes in outcomes is unknown.Objective 
                  To describe the temporal changes in length of stay, discharge disposition, and short-term outcomes among older patients hospitalized for HF.Design, Setting, and Participants 
                  An observational study of 6 955 461 Medicare fee-for-service hospitalizations for HF between 1993 and 2006, with a 30-day follow-up.Main Outcome Measures 
                  Length of hospital stay, in-patient and 30-day mortality, and 30-day readmission rates.Results 
                  Between 1993 and 2006, mean length of stay decreased from 8.81 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.79-8.83 days) to 6.33 days (95% CI, 6.32-6.34 days). In-hospital mortality decreased from 8.5% (95% CI, 8.4%-8.6%) in 1993 to 4.3% (95% CI, 4.2%-4.4%) in 2006, whereas 30-day mortality decreased from 12.8% (95% CI, 12.8%-12.9%) to 10.7% (95% CI, 10.7%-10.8%). Discharges to home or under home care service decreased from 74.0% to 66.9% and discharges to skilled nursing facilities increased from 13.0% to 19.9%. Thirty-day readmission rates increased from 17.2% (95% CI, 17.1%-17.3%) to 20.1% (95% CI, 20.0%-20.2%; all P < .001). Consistent with the unadjusted analyses, the 2005-2006 risk-adjusted 30-day mortality risk ratio was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.91-0.93) compared with 1993-1994, and the 30-day readmission risk ratio was 1.11 (95% CI, 1.10-1.11).Conclusion 
                  For patients admitted with HF during the past 14 years, reductions in length of stay and in-hospital mortality, less marked reductions in 30-day mortality, and changes in discharge disposition accompanied by increases in 30-day readmission rates were observed.