Reduced Readmission and Increased Patient Satisfaction in Post-Cardiac Arrhythmia Ablation: A Randomized Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Hospital readmissions within 30 days post-cardiac arrhythmia ablation are typically related to postoperative complications and arrhythmia recurrence and considered mostly preventable.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of a cardiac ablation patient education program on hospital readmissions and patient satisfaction.

Methods: An education intervention was established for patients who underwent cardiac ablation based on the Project RED framework. Hospital readmissions rates 30 days postprocedure and satisfaction via a single-blinded posttest design were assessed to evaluate the program.

Results: Those in the intervention group had a significantly lower rate of 30-day readmissions (7.1% vs 53.3%, P = .014). A large magnitude of effect and higher total patient satisfaction scores were also seen in the intervention group ( M = 633, SD = 78) than in the control group ( M = 508, SD = 137, P = .005).

Conclusions: Results of this study support the implementation of an enhanced cardiac arrhythmia patient education intervention with consideration of identified facilitators and barriers.