Impact of day of admission on patients admitted with complete heart block: Analyzing the weekend effect

Nahush Roop Bansal1, Abdulmajeed Alharbi2, Shahnaz Rehman3

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, USA.

Insights

Weekend admissions for complete heart block (CHB) are linked to longer hospital stays and higher charges. While mortality is similar, weekend CHB patients experience more cardiac arrests and cardiogenic shock, with delayed pacemaker implantation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Health Services Research

Background:

  • Complete heart block (CHB) is a critical cardiac condition requiring prompt treatment.
  • Admission timing, specifically weekday versus weekend, may impact patient outcomes in emergencies like CHB.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between weekday and weekend hospital admissions and outcomes for patients diagnosed with complete heart block.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study utilized the National Inpatient Sample database.
  • Adult patients admitted with complete heart block were analyzed, comparing outcomes between weekend and weekday admissions.

Main Results:

  • Weekend admissions (21.37%) showed similar mortality but longer hospital stays and increased charges compared to weekday admissions.
  • Patients admitted on weekends had higher rates of cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock.
  • Permanent pacemaker implantation rates were similar, but the delay to implantation was longer for weekend admissions.

Conclusions:

  • Significant differences exist in outcomes for complete heart block patients admitted on weekends versus weekdays.
  • Hospital and administrative strategies are necessary to mitigate disparities in care and outcomes associated with weekend admissions for CHB.
Abstract

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