2022 Quality Summit ePosters (Non-CE) - Chest Pain Center Accreditation-2. Chest Pain Unit Post COVID-19

2. Chest Pain Unit Post COVID-19

Pdf Summary

The Chest Pain Unit at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio is being restarted after being temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the unit is to reduce the length of hospital stays, decrease costs for patients and the healthcare system, and prevent readmissions for chest pain. The project has already shown improvement in patient length of stay, patient placement, and readmission rate with initial steps being implemented. It is considered a cost-effective project that is worth the time and effort for other cardiac care centers. <br /><br />The project involves a multi-disciplinary team including physicians, performance improvement specialists, and nurses. Patient data during the COVID-19 surge was collected to compare changes. Flyers and presentations were developed to educate staff about the unit. High-risk patients with negative troponins are admitted to the Chest Pain Unit. Admission processes have been streamlined with order sets and a designated observation floor. Daily spots for testing have been reserved. EMS education and outreach have been ongoing for chest pain patients and in-the-field activation of STEMI. <br /><br />The goal for the length of stay is less than 18 hours, and the unit has experienced a 23% decrease in length of stay. Readmission rates have been low for the past three months. The initial improvement in shorter hospital stays reduces costs for patients and the healthcare system, and frees up resources faster. Admitting patients to cardiac floors with staff familiar with chest pain management reduces the risk of adverse outcomes. Admission as observation status instead of inpatient significantly reduces costs and readmissions.<br /><br />Future plans include community outreach on CPR and heart attack care education, heart disease screening tests, integration with cardiology fellows, and applying for accreditation from the American College of Cardiology for continued improvement. The project has received funding from The Christ Hospital.

Keywords

Chest Pain Unit

The Christ Hospital

COVID-19 pandemic

hospital stays

patient costs

readmissions

multi-disciplinary team

observation floor

adverse outcomes

funding