Researchers found no significant difference in patient outcomes or adverse events for acute heart failure patients treated at a short-stay unit instead of being hospitalized.
The study, published Jan. 10 in JAMA Open Network, analyzed data from 193 low-risk patients with a mean age of 64.8 who presented at an emergency department with acute heart failure. The patients were followed up with at 30 and 90 days to study quality of life, as measured by the 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire short form.
The study found no significant difference between groups that were treated in short-stay units and hospitalized patients. However, patients in the short-stay units had 1.6 more days alive and out of hospital compared to those who were hospitalized.