Can I read Improving Length of Stay on a Trauma Service on EtoBox?
Improving Length of Stay on a Trauma Service by Walter L Biffl; Ning Lu; Peter R Schultz; Jiayan Wang; Matthew R Castelo; Kathryn B Schaffer is a Medicine article available to read on EtoBox.
What is Improving Length of Stay on a Trauma Service about?
## Background Reducing length of stay (LOS) is a major healthcare initiative. While LOS is closely linked to the diagnosis and procedure in elective surgery, many additional factors influence LOS on a trauma service. We hypothesized that more standardized patient management would lead to decreased LOS. ## Methods Retrospective analysis of Trauma Registry data compared LOS before (PRE) and after (POST) implementation of standardized processes on a trauma service. Patients were subdivided by age (over and under 65 years). Data were compared using unpaired t-test, χ^2^ test and analysis of variance tests, where appropriate. ## Results 1613 PRE and 1590 POST patients were compared. Although age and Injury Severity Score were similar, median LOS decreased by 1 day for the group overall (p<0.0001), and for subgroups over and under the age of 65 years (p<0.0001). Older patients were discharged home 13% more often in POST, compared with 4% more for younger patients. ## Conclusions Improved standardization of processes on a trauma service reduced LOS in patients of all ages. A prospective study may identify specific factors associated with prolonged LOS, to allow further improvement. ## Lev
Who reads Improving Length of Stay on a Trauma Service?
It is typically read by researchers, students, and practitioners in Medicine.
- Author
- Walter L Biffl; Ning Lu; Peter R Schultz; Jiayan Wang; Matthew R Castelo; Kathryn B Schaffer
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2021
- Language
- EN
- Field
- Medicine (Health Sciences)