Key result
Standardized EHR communication workflow linked to ~3-hour reduction in hospital length of stay.
Why the study?
Delayed transthoracic echocardiogram completion may prolong hospitalization after uncomplicated STEMI due to inconsistent prioritization of TTE.
Does a standardized electronic health record-supported communication workflow improve diagnostic timeliness and reduce length of stay in patients with uncomplicated STEMI?
Observational (n=52)
No
Does a standardized electronic health record-supported communication workflow improve diagnostic timeliness and reduce length of stay in patients with uncomplicated STEMI?
Implementing a standardized EHR-supported workflow for echocardiography communication reduces process-dependent delays and shortens hospital length of stay after uncomplicated STEMI.
May accelerate discharge after uncomplicated STEMI via standardized TTE workflow; hypothesis-generating for multicenter validation.
BACKGROUND: Delayed transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) completion may prolong hospitalization after uncomplicated ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). PROJECT RATIONALE: Hartford Hospital identified inconsistent, person-dependent prioritization of TTE, which could delay diagnostic finalization, discharge readiness, and patient throughput. PROJECT SUMMARY: A standardized electronic health record-supported communication workflow was implemented for eligible uncomplicated patients with STEMI. Preimplementation cases from November-December 2025 were compared with postimplementation cases from March-April 2026. Among 52 cases, mean TTE finalization decreased from 21.8 to 18.6 hours, length of stay decreased from 54.5 to 51.6 hours, and the order-to-finalization interval improved by 29.5%. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: Standardized TTE communication improved diagnostic timeliness and was associated with shorter hospitalization. Reliable electronic health record-supported workflows may reduce process-dependent delays after uncomplicated STEMI.
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Warrington et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Uncomplicated ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n=52). Standardized electronic health record-supported communication workflow vs. Preimplementation workflow was evaluated on Length of stay (hours). A standardized electronic health record-supported communication workflow reduced mean length of stay from 54.5 to 51.6 hours and mean TTE finalization time from 21.8 to 18.6 hours.
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