Table 5.

Predictors of length of stay: Medicaid database.

Variables	Medicaid database (n =2118)
	Reference category or value Reference* LOS =3.837 days	Multiplication factor	95% CI		Additional days	p-value
			Lower	Upper
Clinical variables: 12-month pre-period
Arrhythmias	“ ”	1.122	1.067	1.180	0.468	<0.0001
Rheumatic heart disease	“ ”	1.082	1.030	1.137	0.314	0.0018
Circulatory disease	“ ”	1.155	1.086	1.228	0.594	<0.0001
Cardiorespiratory failure and shock	“ ”	1.112	1.044	1.183	0.428	0.0009
COPD	“ ”	1.100	1.044	1.159	0.383	0.0003
Pneumonia	“ ”	1.103	1.044	1.165	0.394	0.0005
Renal failure	“ ”	1.374	1.299	1.452	1.434	<0.0001
GI disease or ulcer	“ ”	1.137	1.073	1.204	0.525	<0.0001
Electrolyte disorder	“ ”	1.116	1.056	1.180	0.445	0.0001
Clinical variables: Index admission
Treated in ICU	Not in ICU	1.281	1.217	1.348	1.078	<0.0001
Treated in CCU	Not in CCU	1.097	1.039	1.158	0.370	0.0008
ICD or pacemaker	“ ”	0.624	0.543	0.718	−1.442	<0.0001
Cardiac catheterization	“ ”	1.292	1.162	1.437	1.121	<0.0001
Mechanical ventilation procedure	“ ”	1.532	1.324	1.774	2.043	<0.0001

The following variables did not have a significant difference in LOS from the reference group for Medicaid eligible beneficiaries: age group, index year, gender, urbanization, plan type, capitation status, previous CABG surgery, atherosclerosis, other heart disease, stroke, fibrosis of the lung, other urinary tract disorder, liver disease, cancer, psychiatric disorder, diabetes, malnutrition, pressure/decubitus ulcer, index admission CABG surgery, and index admission dialysis. Each of these variables was associated with a significant difference in LOS from the corresponding reference group for one of the other payers.

^*Reference: 2005, male, 35–49 years old, fee-for-service and non-capitated health plan, no study comorbidities, ≤10 3-digit ICD-9-CM codes in pre-period, HF DRG, no study inpatient procedures, no ICU or CCU stay, discharged alive.