Reducing CABG Readmissions: Evaluating Nurse Practitioner–Led Early Follow-up After Discharge

Abstract

Reducing 30-day readmissions after coronary artery bypass grafting is clinically and financially important. From 2017 to 2022, we implemented and refined a nurse practitioner–led protocol shifting postoperative visits from 4 weeks to 1 week after discharge. This significantly increased early follow-up adherence (P < .001) and reduced missed visits with the surgical team (P < .001). Patients seen within 1 week had the lowest readmissions, particularly avoidable ones related to pleural effusions, heart failure, or wounds. This project demonstrates that early nurse practitioner follow-up improves outcomes and ensures continuity of care after coronary artery bypass grafting. Further work defining avoidable readmission reasons could enhance future quality improvement initiatives.