Key result
Higher intensity of outpatient cardiac care was not associated with reduced mortality at 1 year (OR 1.00; 95% CI 0.99-1.00 per incremental quartile of intensity).
Why the study?
Does higher intensity of outpatient cardiac care reduce mortality or hospitalizations in Medicare beneficiaries?
Population
7,160,732 Medicare beneficiaries who received services from 5,635 cardiology practices in 2012
Comparison
Higher intensity of outpatient cardiac care vs Lower intensity of outpatient cardiac care
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
1 year
Authors
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No association supports deferring routine intensification of outpatient care; leaves open whether targeted strategies benefit high-risk subgroups.
Observational (n=7,160,732)
Yes
Does higher intensity of outpatient cardiac care reduce mortality or hospitalizations in Medicare beneficiaries?
Odds Ratio: 1 (95% CI 0.99–1)
Substantial practice-level variation exists in the intensity of outpatient cardiac care, but higher intensity is associated with increased costs without reducing mortality or medical hospitalizations.
Clough et al. (2016) conducted an observational in Medicare beneficiaries receiving outpatient cardiac care (n=7,160,732). Higher outpatient cardiac care intensity vs. Lower outpatient cardiac care intensity was evaluated on death at 1 year (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99-1.00). Higher intensity of outpatient cardiac care was not associated with reduced mortality at 1 year (OR 1.00; 95% CI 0.99-1.00 per incremental quartile of intensity).
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