GWTG-HF Length of Stay (LOS) Prediction Calculator
- Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) Length of Stay Prediction: Explanation and Clinical Context
The GWTG-HF Length of Stay (LOS) model was developed from a cohort of over 100,000 hospitalizations in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure registry. It provides an evidence-based estimate of the expected hospital length of stay for patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).
Predictors in the model include age, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, serum sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), presence of COPD, and race. These parameters reflect the clinical severity and comorbidity burden at admission. For example, older age, elevated BUN, and higher heart rate are associated with prolonged hospitalization, reflecting systemic congestion and end-organ dysfunction. Conversely, higher systolic blood pressure and normal sodium predict a shorter stay due to better hemodynamic stability.
This prediction tool supports clinicians in hospital resource management, discharge planning, and patient counseling by identifying patients likely to require longer inpatient care. It also provides a benchmark for quality improvement and performance metrics within heart failure programs.
Clinical Interpretation Summary:
- A predicted LOS above 6–7 days generally indicates advanced heart failure severity or multi-organ dysfunction.
- Shorter LOS (≤4 days) is common among patients with preserved hemodynamic stability and good renal function.
Reference:
Fonarow GC, et al. Length of Stay, Costs, and Mortality in Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure: Insights From Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure. Circulation: Heart Failure. 2011;4(6):629–639. doi:10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.111.962555
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