OBJECTIVE: To solve a capacity problem in a pediatric cardiovascular program, a 5- bed short-stay unit was created in the cardiac catheterization recovery room area within a 6-week timeframe. We describe the problem, solution, and early results in hospital performance and patient outcomes. METHODS: Data were reviewed for 183 patients who underwent various cardiac catheterization procedures and recovered overnight in the cardiac short-stay unit during the first 4 months of operation. The effect on bed use throughout the cardiac program and impact on the usual recovery room operations were assessed. RESULTS: The cardiovascular inpatient bed shortage was relieved with the creation of a 5-bed short-stay unit, and no cardiac procedures were canceled because of lack of beds during the study period. CONCLUSION: There was no negative impact on clinical operations in the catheterization laboratory recovery room, and the short-stay unit was cost-effective. According to the rate of admission after recovery in the short-stay unit (5/183), patient selection was appropriate.
OBJECTIVE: To solve a capacity problem in a pediatric cardiovascular program, a 5- bed short-stay unit was created in the cardiac catheterization recovery room area within a 6-week timeframe. We describe the problem, solution, and early results in hospital performance and patient outcomes. METHODS: Data were reviewed for 183 patients who underwent various cardiac catheterization procedures and recovered overnight in the cardiac short-stay unit during the first 4 months of operation. The effect on bed use throughout the cardiac program and impact on the usual recovery room operations were assessed. RESULTS: The cardiovascular inpatient bed shortage was relieved with the creation of a 5-bed short-stay unit, and no cardiac procedures were canceled because of lack of beds during the study period. CONCLUSION: There was no negative impact on clinical operations in the catheterization laboratory recovery room, and the short-stay unit was cost-effective. According to the rate of admission after recovery in the short-stay unit (5/183), patient selection was appropriate.
Authors: Matthew F Toerper; Eleni Flanagan; Sauleh Siddiqui; Jeff Appelbaum; Edward K Kasper; Scott Levin Journal: J Am Med Inform Assoc Date: 2015-09-05 Impact factor: 4.497