Pacemaker implant complication rates raise questions over quality of care
Study in Australian and NZ hospitals highlights need for concerted action, say authors
Concerns have been raised over the quality of care at some cardiac units in Australia and New Zealand after a study reported a wide variation in post-pacemaker implantation complication rates.
The study of 174 public and private hospitals across both countries found the rate of major complication within 90 days of implantation varied from 5.4% at the best-performing hospital to 12.9% at the worst.
Of some 65,700 patients receiving a pacemaker, 3.4% had a major complication while in hospital, including 0.5% who died and 2.8% who had to have a second operation.
Once discharged, 4.6% had a major complication, with 0.8% dying within 30 days of the procedure and 3% requiring readmission within 90 days.
