Is early too early? Effect of shorter stays after bypass surgery.

Background: Postoperative stays after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) decreased substantially in the 1990s. Although shorter stays offer clinical benefits, premature discharge could increase adverse events and offset initial savings. This study examined the effect of early discharge after CABG on readmission/death and cost within 60 days of discharge home.

Trends in postoperative length of stay after bypass surgery.

Background: Although single-site studies have reported reductions in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery length of stay (LOS) over the last 15 years, less information is available regarding overall temporal trends and interhospital variability. This study examined trends in postoperative LOS, associated rates of transfer at discharge and variation among hospitals in LOS at CABG hospitals in New York State.

Methods: Trends in postoperative LOS and transfers at discharge for 105,842 CABG patients treated in 30 hospitals in New York between 1992 and 1998 were first described graphically.