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Declining length of stay for patients hospitalized with AMI: impact on mortality and readmissions

Jane S Saczynski1, Darleen Lessard, Frederick A Spencer

  • 1University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA. jane.saczynski@umassmed.edu

The American Journal of Medicine
|November 2, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Hospital stays for acute myocardial infarction shortened significantly from 1995 to 2005. Shorter hospital stays did not increase readmission or mortality risks for heart attack patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Health Services Research
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hospital length of stay (LOS) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) decreased in the late 20th century.
  • Trends in AMI LOS during the 2000s and their impact on patient outcomes remain unclear.
  • This study examines decade-long trends in AMI LOS and its association with rehospitalization and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends in length of hospital stay for acute myocardial infarction patients between 1995 and 2005.
  • To investigate the impact of decreasing length of stay on early rehospitalization and post-discharge mortality.
  • To assess whether declining length of stay affects patient outcomes after acute myocardial infarction.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based sample of 4184 patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction was analyzed.
  • Data were collected during 6 annual periods from 1995 to 2005.
  • Statistical analysis examined trends in length of stay and associations with rehospitalization and mortality.

Main Results:

  • Average length of stay for acute myocardial infarction decreased by nearly one-third, from 7.2 days in 1995 to 5.0 days in 2005.
  • Shorter lengths of stay were not associated with increased odds of 7- or 30-day hospital readmission or 1-year mortality.
  • Longer lengths of stay were associated with significantly higher odds of short-term mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Length of stay for acute myocardial infarction patients significantly decreased between 1995 and 2005.
  • Declining length of stay was not linked to increased risks of early readmission or all-cause mortality.
  • These findings suggest that reduced hospitalization duration for AMI is safe and does not negatively impact key patient outcomes.

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