Authors (including presenting author) :
Li SM(1), Choi WM(1), Chow PY(1), Cheung YW(1), Au TK Tony(1), Leung CY Gary(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Tseung Kwan O Hospital (2) Department of Medicine, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Hong Kong
Introduction :
Hong Kong has the highest life expectancy in the world, however, with the aging population, many live with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and are at risk of readmission. In fact, readmission rate after myocardial infarction (MI) is up to 60% within 1 year. Although cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) is recommended worldwide for CVD patients to improve mortality, decreased risk of recurrence and increase exercise tolerance, participation rates remain as low as 14%. In order to improve the participation rates, reducing readmission would serve as additional incentive for patients and their families.
Objectives :
This study sough to examine the 12-month readmission rate between patients who complete CRP Phase II training and those dropped out.
Methodology :
Cardiac patients were recruited from medical wards and Specialty Out Patient Clinic in Tseung Kwan O Hospital between December 2019 to September 2020. Patients completed 12 sessions of CRP training in Medical Day Rehabilitation Centre were complete group. Those attended first session but less than 12 were dropout group. Patients’ medical records were reviewed through 12 months after discharge or default from CRP Phase II. Hospital admissions were defined as unplanned admissions to hospitals including accident and emergency department in Hospital Authority. Cardiovascular related readmission was identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) codes 410 and 411.
Result & Outcome :
Overall, 61 patients were reviewed (88.5% males), of which 36 (59%) completed CRP and 25 (41%) dropped out. In total, there were 13.9% unplanned cardiovascular related readmissions in complete group and 26.9% in dropped out group after 1 year. Those complete CRP training had noncardiovascular readmission of 41.7% while drop out group had 88.5%. Cardiac rehabilitation participation reduces risk of readmission in both cardiovascular and noncardiovascular readmission. Low cardiac adherence is reported. Improving cardiac rehabilitation participation rates is critically important to achieve the long-term benefits substantiated which may have a positive impact on healthcare cost and outcomes.
