Authors: Jones, Samuel O.¹; Odle, Micheal²; Stajduhar, Karl²; Leclerc, Kenneth²; Eckart, Robert E.²

Source: Military Medicine, Volume 171, Number 6, June 2006 , pp. 567-571(5)

Publisher: AMSUS - Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

Abstract:

Objective: We hypothesized that a clinical pathway for inpatient management of atrial fibrillation on a cardiology service would result in improved resource utilization. Methods: In July 2002, an evidence-based pathway was developed for treatment of patients hospitalized for atrial fibrillation. Guidelines directed patient care from admission from the emergency department to inpatient management on a cardiology service. Ancillary testing, anticoagulation, and inpatient length of stay were then compared before and after institution of the pathway. Results: The overall length of stay was significantly shorter for patients admitted through the pathway (43.0 hours vs. 82.0 hours, p < 0.01). After the pathway, there was increased use of transesophageal echocardiography and a trend toward increased use of warfarin. Conclusions: Patients requiring hospitalization for symptomatic atrial fibrillation had a nearly 50% reduction in length of stay, with a trend toward increased utilization of risk-appropriate antithrombotic therapy, if they were directly admitted through cardiology via a clinical pathway.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, TX 78236. 2: Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.

Publication date: 2006-06-01

More about this publication?

• Military Medicine is the Association's official monthly journal. The objective of the Journal is to promote awareness of Federal medicine by providing a forum for responsible discussion of common ideas and problems relevant to Federal healthcare. Its mission is: To increase healthcare education by providing scientific and other information to its readers; to facilitate communication; and to offer a prestige publication for members' writings.
  
  Military Medicine's 5-year Impact Factor: 1.061
  
  
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