Effectiveness and cost of a transitional care program for heart failure: a prospective study with concurrent controls.

Background: Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of nurse-led transitional care programs to reduce readmission rates for patients with heart failure; the effectiveness of these programs in real-world health care systems is less well understood.

Methods: We performed a prospective study with concurrent controls to test an advanced practice nurse-led transitional care program for patients with heart failure who were 65 years or older and were discharged from Baylor Medical Center Garland (BMCG) from August 24, 2009, through April 30, 2010. We compared the effect of the program on 30-day (from discharge) all-cause readmission rate, length of stay, and 60-day (from admission) direct cost for BMCG with that of other hospitals within the Baylor Health Care System.

Impact of a standardized heart failure order set on mortality, readmission, and quality and costs of care.

Objective: To determine the impact of a standardized heart failure order set on mortality, readmission, and quality and costs of care.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Eight acute care hospitals and two specialty heart hospitals.

Statistical models and patient predictors of readmission for acute myocardial infarction: a systematic review.

Background: Readmission after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been targeted for public reporting because it is a common, costly, and often preventable outcome. To assist in ongoing efforts to risk-stratify patients and profile hospitals through public reporting of performance measures, we conducted a systematic review to identify models designed to compare hospital rates of readmission or predict patients' risk of readmission after AMI and to identify studies evaluating patient characteristics associated with AMI readmission.

Methods And Results: We identified relevant English-language studies published between 1950 and 2007 by searching MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO, and all 4 Ovid Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews.

Comparing the financial condition of Texas hospitals using a novel definition for the safety net.

Lack of health insurance is more prevalent in the state of Texas than in the rest of the country. To get necessary medical care, uninsured Texans must rely on safety net hospitals. Economic turmoil and fluctuating public support routinely threaten the financial stability of these hospitals.

An administrative claims measure suitable for profiling hospital performance on the basis of 30-day all-cause readmission rates among patients with heart failure.

Background: Readmission soon after hospital discharge is an expensive and often preventable event for patients with heart failure. We present a model approved by the National Quality Forum for the purpose of public reporting of hospital-level readmission rates by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Methods And Results: We developed a hierarchical logistic regression model to calculate hospital risk-standardized 30-day all-cause readmission rates for patients hospitalized with heart failure.

Statistical models and patient predictors of readmission for heart failure: a systematic review.

Background: Readmission after heart failure (HF) hospitalization is an increasing focus for physicians and policy makers, but statistical models are needed to assess patient risk and to compare hospital performance. We performed a systematic review to describe models designed to compare hospital rates of readmission or to predict patients' risk of readmission, as well as to identify studies evaluating patient characteristics associated with hospital readmission, all among patients admitted for HF.

Methods: We identified relevant studies published between January 1, 1950, and November 19, 2007, by searching MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO, and all 4 Ovid Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews.