Hospital length of stay efficiency

What is it about?

The change in average length of stay for 148 summary level groupings of ICD diagnoses between 1998/99 and 2007/08 were examined. The introduction of the A&E 4-hour target in 2001 led to an explosion in same day stay admissions which acted to reduce the apparent average LOS due to dilution with 0 day stays. The real reduction in LOS was therefore lower than first appears.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Recent studies have confirmed these conclusions. Between 2013/14 and 2015/16 the real overnight stay LOS (after excluding zero day stays) showed either very little reduction through to an increase. An aging population may be placing upward pressure on the real overnight stay LOS.

Perspectives