|
 |
J Clin Outcomes Manage
2008 Jan;15(1):16-20
Inpatient cardiac telemetry monitoring: are we overdoing it?
Kanwar M, Fares R, Minnick S, Rosman HS, Saravolatz L
Abstract Background: To evaluate the effect of educational tools in improving compliance with telemetry monitoring guidelines. Methods: Retrospective data collection was performed for all inpatients on telemetry in May 2006. Educational interventions to improve physician awareness were performed over the next 4 months and follow-up data were collected. Results: 416 of 972 patients (43%) admitted in May 2006 were placed on telemetry, of whom only 238 (57%) had a class I/II (appropriate) indication. After interventions, data collection in September 2006 showed a reduction in utilization to 37% (316 of 856 patients; p = 0.03) and an increase in appropriate class I/II indication to 71% (p < 0.001). Average duration of telemetry trended down from 4.3 ± 4 days in May to 3.8 ± 3 days in September (p = 0.18). Patients did not differ with regard to average age, sex, and average length of stay. Conclusion: Improving physician awareness for standard telemetry guidelines promotes compliance, eases the burden of limited telemetry bed availability, and may lead to health care cost savings.
Original Research
Search the Turner White index to find abstracts of articles published in JCOM.
|
