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Hospitalist use reduces length of stay

Case Management Weekly, October 2, 2007

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Employing hospital-based physicians to care for patients with complex clinical or discharge needs could cut LOS times by almost one day. According to a study of more than 9,000 patients, the use of hospitalists was most likely to reduce the stays of those with congestive heart failure, stroke, asthma, or pneumonia.

In the study, reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine, admissions were divided between hospitalist and non-hospitalist teams; those cared for by hospitalists had an average stay of 5.01 days, those under non-hospitalists were discharged after 5.87 days.

"The close monitoring and continuous presence offered by hospitalists may allow for earlier discharge because hospitalists are more likely to detect clinical improvement in real time and to make appropriate adjustments in treatment regimens," said the authors.

"We believe that the greater reduction in length of stay associated with complex discharge planning reflects hospitalist skills in working with ancillary staff, such as social workers or discharge planners."

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine

Other articles of interest: An in-depth look at hospitalists in the U.S.

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