title: Early release following cardiac surgery.
abstract: Early release following cardiac surgery can be facilitated by the implementation of a standard protocol for pre- and postoperative care. This protocol involves aggressive pharmacologic therapy together with education and support. Accelerated recovery and release is inherently attractive because the duration of intensive care unit stay and hospital stay are the most important determinants of costs. However, in the desire for reduced costs, patients must clearly benefit from earlier rehabilitation and release. Retrospective studies have shown no significant differences in mortality or morbidity in patients who have undergone conventional versus "fast-tracked" care following cardiac surgery, and follow-up surveys have shown a high level of patient satisfaction with the care. Some centers report that, without exception, all cardiac surgery patients are now fast-tracked.
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Keon
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sherrard
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D017046:Cost Savings; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D010351:Patient Discharge; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome