Background: This project was selected after the launch of intensive cardiac rehabilitation (ICR) at a traditional-only cardiac rehabilitation facility. The scholarly inquiry questioned was there a difference in hospital readmission rates among male and female patients of varying ages, who were post myocardial infarction, heart failure, or coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and attended a traditional cardiac rehab program compared to those who attended an ICR program?

Methods: A retrospective, quantitative study was conducted to compare types of cardiac rehabilitation programs and readmission rate. Data was collected over a nine-month period; 281 patient records were reviewed, 93 (33%) females and 188 (67%) males. The inclusion criteria were a qualifying cardiac event, and the patient began their rehabilitation between February 1 through September 30, 2018. Data was analyzed utilizing chi square and two sample t-tests.

Results: The age of the patients ranged from 35 years to 92 years, with 65 patients under age 60, and 216 patients age 60 and above. A statistically significant level was defined as a p-value = 0.41. Statistical results revealed the number of sessions attended had a direct effect on readmission rates as compared to no statistical significance specific to type of program and gender of the patient.

Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation reduces readmission rates. Factors such as age and the number of rehabilitation sessions the patient participated in had a positive effect on avoiding readmissions.