Authors
1
Lecturer, School of Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
2
B.A in Health Care Management, School of Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
3
PhD Candidate, Health Care Management, Dept of Health Management and Economics, School of public health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Increased length of hospital stay can lead to increase costs for both hospitals and patients, and additionally could lead to delayed patient’s recovery and rehabilitation time. Based on the shortage of medical facilities, staff, lack of equipments and increasing health care costs, length of stay optimizing and its affecting factors is especially essential. The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting Length of stay in Amir-al-momenin Hospital of Zabol University of medical sciences.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014. Subjects were inpatients’ medical records (349 cases) which were selected by randomized sampling. The data were obtained through a researcher- made questioner with 19 questions. T-test, and One-way ANOVA were used for the analysis.
Results: The results showed that of 349 patients, 70.4% of the patients were males, and 29.6% of the patients were females. The type of admission of 280 patients was elective. Average length of stay of these patients was 6/30 days less than ambulance patients. There was a significant relationship between average length of stay and discharge status (recovery, Partial recovery and death) (p<0/001). Factors affecting the average length of stray were age, job, type of insurance, and discharge status.
Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, for achieving the aim of better allocation of resources and hospital beds and optimizing productivity of the existing beds, it is recommended to take measures to reduce the hospitalization of patients specially elderly patients through development of home care and nursing homes.
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