Cath Lab ‘Frequent Flyers’: Insights from Patient Logging Database

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this analysis was to characterise patient's with >1 cath lab encounter, ‘frequent flyers’, (FF) from a prospective system database. Methods: A prospective database (15/9/2003 to 12/9/2012) was interrogated to identify FF. Descriptive statistics and correlates of FF status were determined. Results: 18920 procedures were assessable (99.9%). 2678 FF (mean age 64 years, 68% male) were identified from 15165 patients. FF contributed 34% of the procedures. A histogram, of the encounter frequency is shown below. FF flows are shown in directed multigraph with edge colour and thickness reflecting frequency of transition. The characteristics of interval between events (days) were: mean 398; median 103, range: (0, 3032); interquartile range: (7575). Age, male sex, diabetes on treatment and renal impairment were correlated with FF status (all p < 0.005). Conclusions: Eighteen percent of patients were FF and contributed 34% of the procedures. The majority were single repeat encounters (maximum frequency: 8). Age, male sex, diabetes and renal impairment correlate with FF status. The qualitative and quantitative aspects have implications for work flow planning and resourcing.