Analytics-driven decision tool reduced rates of death, hospitalization after heart failure

As hospitals grapple with overcrowding and staffing shortages, this study suggests heart failure patients at lower risk of adverse events can be discharged from the ED or after a short hospital stay with rapid follow-up care in place. The study included the use of a tool to assist in hospital admission or discharge decisions for heart failure patients reduced 30-day all-cause death or cardiovascular hospitalization by 12%. The tool was developed using analytics and lets staff ascertain whether heart failure patients fall into low-, intermediate- or high-risk categories, to inform the decision to admit a patient or to discharge with follow-up care.