Reduced Readmission Rate for Alternating Diagnoses of Heart Failure and Pulmonary Disease after Implementation of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Testing

Abstract

We hypothesize that prior to BNP implementation, there may have been diagnostic ambiguities in the initial diagnosis of HF or PD, which contributed to a repeat visit for the alternate diagnosis (PD or HF). With BNP testing, the apparent number of inappropriate visits decreased. Reducing unnecessary ED admissions helps justify the costs for implementing BNP testing in the hospital.