Retrospective Study Comparing the Costs and Outcomes of Three Alternatives for Monitoring Patients Who Come to an Emergency Department with Chest Pain (ICD-9 Code 78650 and 78659)

摘要

The purpose of this study is to compare the costs, length of stay, patient outcomes and physician diagnostic practices for three alternatives of monitoring patients who come to an emergency department complaining of chest pain (ICD-9 codes 78650 & 78659) in a military medical treatment facility (MTF). In addition, this study will compare TRICARE (military health maintenance organization) enrollment versus non-enrollment status on length of stay, and demographic and co-morbidity differences in patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction (MI) and ruled-out for Ml in these three alternatives for monitoring patients with chest pain.