A multidisciplinary program based on early follow-up in a day hospital after heart failure hospitalizations. Reduction of 30-day readmissions in a population analysis over a 6-year period

Readmission rates at 30 days after heart failure (HF) hospitalizations are high. Disease management programs have shown to reduce them; however, the results of clinical trials are difficult to extrapolate to the entire population with HF. Our hospital has a multidisciplinary program for HF management (MHFP) led by the Cardiology Department, based on early post-discharge follow-up in a day hospital, for clinical-analytical assessment, optimization and titration of pharmacological treatment, structured education, promotion of self-care and intravenous treatment if appropriate. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the MHFP on our patients all cause 30-day readmission rate (MHFP group), compared with the rest of our region (control group).

All discharges with HF as main diagnosis in our region were analysed through anonymized consultation of the Minimum Basic Data Set (an administrative public data base) in the period 2009–2015. The first admission of each patient in the period was identified as index admission. Patients who died in the index admission were excluded. Epidemiological characteristics, comorbidities and hospital stay were compared in the two groups. The outcome variable was the time to first readmission in the first 30 days after discharge. Quantitative variables were compared using Student's t and categorical variables with χ². Cox method was used for multivariate analysis.

We included 62,162 patients, 1,447 in the MHFP group and 60,715 in the control group. Epidemiological characteristics and main comorbidities were compared, and the results are shown in the table. Readmission rate was significantly lower in the MHFP group (13.5 vs 16%, HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74–0.98 in multivariate analysis). The variables independently associated with an increase in readmissions at 30 days were age adjusted Charlson index, hospital length of stay in index admission and several comorbidities (obstructive pulmonary disease, myocardial infarction, and renal failure)

Over a period of 6 years, a MHFP significantly reduced 30-day readmissions after admission for HF, in its reference area. The generalization of these programs could have a relevant impact on costs reduction.

Type of funding sources: None.