Reductions in LOS not linked to greater use of postacute care facilities

Editor's Note

Reductions in hospital length of stay (LOS) for surgical procedures between 2008 and 2014, were not linked to a greater use of postacute care facilities in this study.

Researchers studied the relationship between decreased LOS and postacute care using summary measures from the US National Inpatient Sample with three categories: Clinical Classifications Software’s classes of procedures (CCS), DRGs including a major OR procedure during hospitalization, or CCS limited to Medicare patients.

Greater reductions in LOS were associated with smaller percentages of patients with placement in postacute care. 

in hospital median LOS was associated with lesser odds of transfer to a postacute care facility (P = .0008). The result, though, was limited to elective admissions, 15 common surgical DRGs, and the 2013 US National Readmission Database. METHODS: We studied the same potential relationship between decreased LOS and postacute care using different methodology and over 2 different years.

Read More >>