title: Outpatient PTCA with same day discharge is safe and produces high patient satisfaction level.
abstract: Improved technology and enhanced clinical expertise have allowed physicians to become more cost effective and provide better patient care. A prospective, randomized study was done to determine the safety of same day discharge following PTCA. Of 1911 elective PTCA patients, 262 patients (14%) were stratified as low risk and candidates for same day discharge. Of the 262 eligible patients, 90 (34%) were randomized to either an in-patient (n = 47) or outpatient (n = 43) strategy. Similar procedural and clinical outcomes were found between the two groups, with 33 of 43 outpatients (77%) discharged on the same day as the procedure. No late complications (1 and 7 days post procedure) were observed in this outpatient group. Additionally, a satisfaction survey was conducted of all patients and their family members that showed an overwhelming (p < 0.05) preference and comfort with the same day discharge.
authors.affiliation: The Atlanta Cardiology Group, 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30342, USA.
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Knopf
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cohen-Bernstein
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heselov
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yarbrough
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Steahr
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000628:therapy*; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000628:therapy*; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction