[Quality of care indicators related to premature readmission and death after hospitalization for heart failure].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine wether the quality of care criteria applied and the treatment provided to patients hospitalized after congestive heart failure were appropriate to reduce rates of premature readmission and death.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: We analyzed the epidemiologic, clinical and quality of care data proposed by 3 international organizations: JCAHO, AHA/ACC and ACOVE Project. The dependent variable was defined as readmission or death during the 30 days after discharge. A multivariate analysis was made using multiple binary logistic regression of the parameters of quality of care and treatment appropriateness.

RESULTS: 225 hospital discharge records were analyzed. There were 21 readmissions and 3 deaths (i.e., 24 cases [10.7%] with a positive dependent variable). 162 records (72%) corresponded to patients aged 65 years and over, who presented a total of 18 (8%) readmissions or premature deaths. A positive association between readmission or premature death was found with regard to 2 variables: appropriate treatment with beta-blockers (odds ratio [OR] = 0.34) and the Charlson index (OR = 3,79 for score of 3 or more vs. score of 2 or less). In the case of patients aged 65 years and over the same 2 variables were positively associated, with OR similar to those cited (OR = 0.31 and 3.21, respectively). No association was found between premature readmission or death and the overall evaluation of the criteria referred to by AHA/ACC, JCAHO or the ACOVE Project.

CONCLUSIONS: Premature readmission or death of patients with heart failure is more determined by the characteristics of the clinical state of patients (the Charlson comorbidity index) and by the appropriateness of the treatment applied (treatment with beta-blockers) than by the accomplishment of quality of care criteria as proposed by the cited scientific organizations.