Improving length of stay: what can hospitals do?

Authors:
LEWIS Ruth, EDWARDS Nigel
Publisher:
Nuffield Trust
Publication year:
2015
Pagination:
27
Place of publication:
London

Drawing evidence from the literature together with insights from a number of case studies and a number of senior clinicians and managers, this paper explores what approaches to reducing hospital length of stay have been, and could be, effective. Case study hospitals and much of the literature emphasise the importance of focusing on approaches to improve patient flow through the hospital post-admission and developing a culture of proactive patient management. The following approaches were highlighted as having a positive impact on improving flow and length of stay: senior leadership and decision-making early in a patient’s journey through the hospital; reduce patient moves; tracking patient progress through the hospital; proactive multidisciplinary patient management embedded through rounds; seven-day rounds and supporting services; and planning for discharge. In particular, establishing discharge coordinators to progress transfers and establishing positive working relationships with health and social care partners across the week has been found to be effective in improving patient flow in case study hospitals. (Edited publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
hospital discharge, older people, integrated care, patient administration, care pathways;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
England
Link:
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