Variables that discriminate length of stay and readmission within 30 days among heart failure patients

The purpose of this study was to determine which variables may discriminate between a short length of stay (LOS) and a long LOS and readmission within 30 days among heart failure (HF) patients discharged from a hospital. The charts of 188 patients who were discharged with diagnostic related group 127 during September 30, 1997, until October 31, 1998, were retrospectively reviewed to examine the association between LOS and readmission among 12 variables. It was discovered that an increased number of physicians involved during the patient's hospitalization (p = 0.000) and case management involvement (p = 0.007) were discriminating variables for those patients with a longer LOS. The variables of serum sodium (p = 0.032) and higher NYHA classification (p = 0.018) approached significance in discriminating a longer LOS. HF patients who were readmitted within 30 days were significantlyfound to have an increased NYHA class (p = 0.002) and no specific follow-up plan arranged related to the patients' HF diagnosis (p = 0.005). The results of this study indicate several variables that significantly discriminate LOS and readmission within 30 days among HF patients that case managers can employ to improve care to this population.