Length of hospital stay among cardiovascular patients with valve repair combined valve replacement, Northeast Thailand

Background: Hospital administration can impact patient’s length of hospital stays, treatment costs, and quality of life after surgery. Thus, understanding the factors influencing the length of hospital stays in heart valve surgery patients is crucial for improving patient care and enhancing the efficiency of medical services. Objectives: To investigate the length of hospital-stay and factors associated with length of hospital stay among cardiovascular patients with valve repair combined valve replacement. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional analytical design, involving 272 individuals who underwent combined valve repair and replacement at the Queen Sirikit Heart Centre of the Northeast from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2023. Data were analysed using percentages and medians (min: max). Multiple logistic regression was also conducted to examine risk factors associated with extended hospital stays (> 14 days). Results: The study showed that the length of hospital stays of patients undergoing open heart valve surgery was 14.07 ± 8 days. The risk factors related to a length of hospital stays longer than 14 days were found a history of smoking (AOR = 1.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) : 1.01 - 3.27), albumin level in blood (< 3.5 g/dl) (AOR= 2.28; 95%CI: 1.16 - 4.48), functional class 4 (AOR = 21.32; 95%CI: 4.37 - 104.06), postoperative infection (AOR = 3.25; 95%CI: 1.23 - 8.59) and arrhythmias (AOR= 2.33; 95%CI: 1.01 - 5.38). Conclusion: This result highlighted that these factors are important for post-surgery patients to stay in the hospital longer than standard. Therefore, hospitals should promote health information, including quitting smoking and consuming behaviour, to patients to prepare before surgery. Hospitals must also design guidelines for patient care to prevent further complications.