Routine Cardiac Catheterization Expanding to Saturdays?

Posted on by Kurt Jensen

Expanding availability of elective, non-emergent cardiac catheterization services to Saturdays might significantly reduce length of stay, with no effect on clinical quality reports a recent economic impact study.

The study, published online in the American Journal of Managed Care found that reduced length of stay did not result in total cost savings, however.

In January 2009, Mayo Clinic Rochester expanded cardiac catheterization service availability (CSA) to Saturdays with the "goal of timely access with improved efficiency of care," write the authors.

Despite succeeding in greatly reducing length of stay—a statistically significant, adjusted average of 1.73 days—total costs of care were similar prior to CSA expansion.

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CV Directions Companion: Peripheral Artery Disease and Reducing Length-of-Stay Post-Amputation

Posted on by Kurt Jensen

Are you performing amputations due to Peripheral Artery Disease?

In the NEW CV Directions, Phalan Bolden and Latasha Ruffin report excellent results from the Vascular Amputation Task Force's initiative to reduce length-of-stay post-amputation.

Learn more, reduce costs.

More on Peripheral Artery Disease, compiled by authors Bolden and Ruffin:

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition characterized by atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the lower extremities.  Risk factors for peripheral artery disease include elevated blood cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, inactivity and obesity.  Diabetes and smoking are the strongest risk factors.

Continue reading CV Directions Companion: Peripheral Artery Disease and Reducing Length-of-Stay Post-Amputation