Effect of an Alternate Definition for a Clinically Significant Cardiopulmonary Event on Discharge.

Objective To evaluate a precise definition of a clinically significant cardiopulmonary event (CSCPE) on the hospital length of stay (LOS), medical provider satisfaction and discharge complications. Study design This is a single-center, observational study that included 139 infants before, and 134 infants after the new definition was implemented in December 2017. Retrospective data collected November 2015 to November 2017 (before) was compared with prospective data from June 2018 to July 2020 (after). Outcome measures were the proportion of infants waiting to outgrow CSCPE, LOS, provider satisfaction with the definition and discharge complications. Multivariate regression modeling was used to evaluate variables on LOS and PMA at discharge. Results The proportion waiting to outgrow CSCPE decreased from 68.4% to 31.7% (P Conclusions We developed an alternate definition for a CSCPE that decreased the proportion of infants waiting to outgrow a CSCPE but not LOS. There was no difference in the number of readmissions or emergency room visits for apnea or deaths and provider satisfaction in management and discharge planning was greater.