Length of hospital stay after percutaneous coronary interventions.
OBJECTIVE
Post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) length of hospital stay (LOHS) is one of the key modifiers of hospital cost and quality assessment. Commencing 2000, the cardiovascular services at our institution engaged in a continuous quality improvement program to reduce post-PCI LOHS.


METHODS
All PCI patients were screened for potential early discharge. An expedited discharge protocol was applied to all suitable patients. Length of hospital stay and other outcomes were monitored daily. Data were compiled and reported monthly and quarterly by an independent chart review and data analysis team.


RESULTS
Over the study period, PCI volume increased 4-fold. Annually, 61.8% to 78.4% of the patients were rendered suitable for abbreviated LOHS. Timely discharge of suitable candidates gradually improved from 77.6% (n = 116) discharged within 48 hours in 2000 to 95% (n = 480) discharged within 30 hours in 2006.


CONCLUSIONS
With the appropriate continuous quality improvement program, 30-hour post-PCI discharge is feasible in more than 95% of suitable cases.
Kaluski
Edo
E
University Hospital and University of Medicine and Dentistry, Newark, New Jersey, USA. kalusked@umdnj.edu
Alfano
Diane
D
Randhawa
Preet
P
Palmaro
Jack
J
Jones
Pat
P
Romano
Karen
K
Dolny-Korasick
Deborah
D
Klapholz
Marc
M
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D017046:Cost Savings; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000451:nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013997:Time Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*