Hospitalized heart failure patients (HF) may not consistently receive standards of care and hospitals frequently realize a financial loss in the care of HF patients. GWTG-HF makes it more likely to ensure optimal care, decrease direct cost and increase hospital profit in the management of HF patients.
HYPOTHESIS:
Utilization of GWTG-HF with a multi-disciplinary team would be associated with a consistent application of standards of care, shorter duration of hospitalization and less direct cost for hospitalized HF patients.
METHODS:
GWTG-HF was fully operational in 2006 with a multi-disciplinary team consisting of a Physician Champion, Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), Case Managers and RNs. APNs utilized GWTG-HF at the point of service and worked collaboratively with attending physicians. We compared the average length of stay, total number of hospitalized days, patient revenue, total direct cost, contribution margin, and the profit/loss for hospitalized HF patients in 2005 to those in 2006.
RESULTS:
There were 773 cases of HF admissions in 2005 as compared to 781 in 2006. Overall compliance with GWTG-HF Core Measures in 2006 was 98% (HF-1 D/C Instructions 99%; HF-2 Left ventricular systolic (LVS) function evaluation 96%; HF-3 ACEI/ARB for LVS dysfunction 98%; HF-4 Smoking cessation advice 100%; Beta Blocker Use 95%). The average length of stay (LOS) in 2005 was 6.7 days as compared to 6.3 days in 2006 (p <0.02). The total number of hospital days in 2005 was 5,145 as compared to 4,880 in 2006 (p<0.02). Between 2005 and 2006 patient revenue increased by $279,847 (p<0.01), direct cost decreased by $348,014 (p<0.05), contribution margin increased by $627,861 (p=0.06) and the full cost profit margin increased by $309,460 (NS).
CONCLUSION:
Utilization of GWTG-HF at SJRMC is associated with a high compliance with standards of hospitalized HF care, decrease in average LOS, decrease in total number of hospital days and decrease in direct cost. Although not statistically significant, hospital contribution margin and profit increased for acutely decompensated HF patients.