Reducing length of stay by enhancing patients' discharge: a practical approach to improve hospital efficiency

Mohamed Khalifa*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

For years, hospitals have responded to inefficiencies by adding more resources, whereas research suggests that it is a flow problem. King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center decided to improve efficiency and enhance patient flow through improving patient discharge and reducing length of stay. Eight interventions were implemented; dedicating slots in diagnostic services for discharges, improving communication, eliminating pending exams, identifying discharges the day before, prioritizing laboratory tests, coordinating discharge medication processing and utilizing case management. 14.1% of discharges after improvement, compared to 21.7% before, experienced delays. Discharge cycle duration was reduced from 17.9 to 9.2 hours. 4.1% of discharges after improvement, compared to 14.8% before, experienced procedures delays. Procedure turnaround time was reduced from 46.9 to 15.3 hours. Average length of stay (ALOS) was reduced from 12 days to less than 10. Improving hospital efficiency is an integrated process and the responsibility of all hospital staff.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInformatics empowers healthcare transformation
EditorsJohn Mantas, Arie Hasman, Parisis Gallos, Mowafa S. Househ
Place of PublicationAmsterdam
PublisherIOS Press
Pages157-160
Number of pages4
Volume238
ISBN (Electronic)9781614997801
ISBN (Print)9781614997801
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
EventInternational Conference on Informatics, Management, and Technology in Healthcare - Athens, Greece
Duration: 7 Jul 20179 Jul 2017

Publication series

NameStudies in Health Technology and Informatics
Volume238
ISSN (Print)0926-9630
ISSN (Electronic)1879-8365

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Informatics, Management, and Technology in Healthcare
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityAthens
Period7/07/179/07/17

Keywords

  • Discharge
  • Efficiency
  • Hospitals
  • Length of Stay
  • Patient Flow
  • Performance Improvement

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