Evaluation of Length of Hospital Stay Joining Educational Programs for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: Can We Control Medical Costs in Japan?

Diabetes has become a growing concern in Japan, both medically and financially. The medical cost of diabetes was estimated at 1215 billion yen for fiscal year 2011. We analyzed the length of stay (LOS) in a hospital for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who participated in educational programs to determine factors affecting LOS. Data on 991 patients obtained from 28 Red Cross hospitals in 2008 were used. For the analysis, we used the Box-Cox transformation model and Hausman test. The results revealed that patients aged 75 years and above and those with comorbidities and complications were prone to longer LOS. The analysis also revealed significant differences in LOS across the hospitals, even after controlling for patient characteristics. Finally, we applied the least squares method to determine the effects of hospital and regional factors and revealed that patients’ LOS was affected by the region’s average LOS. Regional corporations and networks appeared to be important in improving educational programs.

Financial Sustainability of the Japanese Medical Payment System: Analysis of the Japanese Medical Expenditure for Educational Hospitalization of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Japanese medical expenditures have increased rapidly in recent years and are predicted to continue rising. Indeed, it remains uncertain whether the current Japanese medical system can be sustained. In this paper, we analyzed the medical expenditures for educational hospitalization of patients with type 2 diabetes. A dataset of 6173 patients from 36 hospitals was used in the analysis. The sample period was from July 2008 to March 2012. We analyzed the medical expenditures in two ways. First, we analyzed the length of hospital stay (LOS). Next, we analyzed the daily expenditure per patient. The Box-Cox transformation model was used in the first analysis and the ordinary least squares method in the second. Comorbidities and complications prolonged LOS and increased daily expenditures. The LOS was significantly different among hospitals. On the other hand, the differences in daily expenditures among hospitals were relatively small, such that LOS was the main determinant of medical expenditures. Previous studies suggested that LOS could be shortened without degradation of medical quality. Moreover, LOS could be controlled by introducing proper critical paths and improving and standardizing educational programs. Hence, it would be possible to control the medical expenditures for this disease.

Expedited Discharge of Patients with Diabetic Ketoacidosis in an Emergency Department Short Stay Unit

Aim: Review of presentation, management and outcome of patients admitted with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) to an emergency department short stay unit with expedited discharge. Methods: All admitted patients with a discharge diagnosis of “Diabetic Ketoacidosis”, were identified by the file auditing section in the Emergency Department. Data obtained from the medical records were collected using an explicit chart review from January 2012 to June 2013. Data included clinical monitoring, investigations performed, the type and amount of intravenous fluids given, the insulin regime, potassium supplementation and outcome. Results: Out of a total of 120 patients labelled as DKA or hyperglycaemia on arrival, hundred patients fulfilled the criteria for DKA. In the population studied the mean age was 25 years with a male predominance. Eighty-two patients suffered from Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) whilst eighteen patients had Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Sixteen patients were newly diagnosed during the present admission. Seventy-six (76%) patients were on insulin. The insulin regimen and potassium supplementation were followed as per protocol in all patients. All the patients except one were given intravenous fluid according to protocol. Parameters were monitored adequately except fluid input and output monitoring. The median length of stay in the short stay unit was 1.5833 days. There was no return visit within one week of discharge. Conclusion: The median length of stay was short and there were no documented complications or deaths during the stay. There was poor compliance with documentation of fluid input and output. In this population, the short stay model of care appeared to be safe and efficient.

Predictive risk factors for prolonged stay in intensive care unit in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery

Objective To describe the preoperative factors of prolonged intensive care unit length of stay after coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods From 1997 to 2009, 1318 patients underwent isolated CABG in our hospital. Retrospective analysis was performed on these cases. Univariate and multivariate analyses

浅析医院平均住院日的计算方法

随着医院综合化程度的日益提高,为考核各临床专科的工作效率,在计算平均住院日时,需考虑转科因素。平均住院日为衡量医院医疗服务效率、工作开展质量水平的重要指标,直接反映了医院资源利用情况及医疗服务整体开展质量水平。当前随着医疗改革的不断深入及医疗需求不断增加,准确计算每位患者的住院日已成为提升医院竞争力、优化医疗资源配置的关键。基于此,本文综述了平均住院日的计算方法、影响因素以及在医院管理中的应用,旨在为医院管理提供参考。

Unplanned hospital readmissions after kidney transplantation among patients in Hefei,China:Incidence,causes and risk factors

Objectives:Unplanned readmissions severely affect a patient's physical and mental well-being after kidney transplantation(KT),which is also independently associated with morbidity.A retrospective study was conducted to identify the incidence,causes and risk factors for unplanned readmission after KT among Chinese patients.Methods:Patients who underwent KT were admitted to the organ transplant center of the Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China(2017-2018).Medical records for these patients were obtained through the hospital information system(HIS).Results:In 518 patients,the incidence of unplanned readmissions within 30 days(n=9)was 1.74%,and 90 days(n=64)was 12.35%.The one-year unplanned readmission rate was 22.59%(n=122).Overall,122 patients were readmitted because of infection,renal events,metabolic disturbances,surgical complications,etc.Hemodialysis(OR=10.462,95%CI:1.355-80.748),peritoneal dialysis(OR=8.746,95%CI:1.074-71.238)and length of stay(OR=1.023,95%CI:1.006-1.040)were independent risk factors for unplanned readmissions.Conclusion:Unplanned readmission rates increased with time after KT.Certain risk factors related to unplanned readmissions should be deeply excavated.Targeted interventions for controllable factors to alleviate the rate of unplanned readmissions should be identified.

Estimating the effect of early discharge policy on readmission rate. An instrumental variable approach

Early discharge policy, common in the developed countries, refers to the reduction of hospital length of stay as a way of reducing the cost of care. The effect of the policy on quality of care has received a lot of attention in the literature. Some of the earlier papers have ignored the endogeneity of length of stay in the readmission equation, an approach that could lead to inconsistent estimation. This study develops a statistical technique for the consistent estimation of the effect of the early discharge policy. An instrument that can be used extensively across different diagnostic groups is provided, hence solving the difficult problem of finding an instrument for length of stay. The exogeneity test in Gorgger (1990), the test for weak instruments in Staiger and Stock (1997) as well as the Hensen (1982) for over identification confirmed respectively that length of stay is endogenous the instrument is strong and the valid.

Medication Error and Interprofessional Communication-Related Factors Contributing to Hospitalisation in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Australia

Background: Population ageing is a worldwide phenomenon. It is common for older adults to develop multiple age-related illnesses and the prevalence of multimorbidity increases substantially with age. Multimorbid adults are frequently treated with several concurrent medications and the regimen may be complex requiring multiple steps in the preparation of a medication prior to its administration. Polypharmacy is a concerning trend and older adults have a 100% risk of experiencing adverse drug events when taking ten or more medications concurrently. Discharge summaries communicating the number of medications, changes made to medication regimens during hospitalisations and the requirement for ongoing monitoring in the community are often incomplete. The aim of this study was to investigate contributing factors to medication-related hospitalisation, length of stay or readmission in older community-dwelling persons and examine the quality of discharge summaries. Methods: Descriptive and correlational analyses of demographic, clinical, admission, readmission, length of stay and medication variables were examined in Australia in 2016-2018. Discharge summaries were analysed for completeness, timeliness and interprofessional communication. Results: There were 295 participants, mean age 80 years, 55% were female, taking an average of 11 prescribed medications and with a mean Medication Regimen Complexity Index score of 34. Medication errors that were unrecognised at the time of hospitalisation were present in 19% of the sample. Factors associated with medication error were older age and a longer median length of stay. Fewer than 52% of these older patients had detailed discharge summaries. Conclusion: The prevalence of polypharmacy and medication regimen complexity at admission was high. A high proportion of older adults on medical units may have unrecognised medication errors impacting their admission. Medical discharge summaries are inadequately addressing this issue for patients returning to the care of their family physician.

Time Course of Postoperative Complications in Low-Risk Women after Planned Cesarean Section

Objectives: Length of hospital stay after cesarean section is today much shorter than previously, and a stay of only 1 day is used in many departments. However, complications requiring immediate treatment must be diagnosed before leaving hospital. We assessed the time interval from planned cesarean section to diagnosis of major complications in low-risk women to estimate a safe time of discharge. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study among 5633 women undergoing planned cesarean section from 2001-2017 at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. The inclusion criterion was postoperative complication graded as Clavien-Dindo ≥ II. Exclusion criteria were preoperative comorbidity or problems during surgery indicative of need for prolonged stay. Time from cesarean section to suspicion of a postoperative complication was the primary endpoint. Results: The study population consisted of 116 women with unexpected postoperative complications, 47 classified as Clavien-Dindo II and 69 as Clavien-Dindo III-IV. In 63 of the 116, the diagnoses were suspected within 24 hours (Clavien-Dindo II: 25, Clavien-Dindo III-IV: 38). These included all cases of relaparotomy and uterine atony with immediate need of medical treatment. Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction was diagnosed within 2 days, while other complications were suspected and treated 2 to 10 days postoperatively. Conclusions: Among low-risk women with a postoperative complication, all cases requiring relaparotomy and medically treated uterine atony were suspected within 24 hours after surgery. Discharge 24 hours after planned cesarean section seems safe in low-risk patients.

The emergency department length of stay: Is the time running out?

Purpose: To examine the relationships between emergency department length of stay (EDLOS) with hospital length of stay (HLOS) and clinical outcome in hemodynamically stable trauma patients. Methods: Prospective data collected for 2 years from consecutive trauma patients admitted to the trauma resuscitation bay. Only stable blunt trauma patients with appropriate trauma triage criteria requiring trauma teamactivationwere included in the study. EDLOSwas determined short if patient spent less than 2 h in the emergency department (ER) and long for more than 2 h. Results: A total of 248 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean total EDLOS was 125 min (range 78 e180). Injury severity score (ISS) were significantly higher in the long EDLOS group (17 ± 13 versus 11 ± 9, p < 0.001). However, when leveled according to ISS, there were no differences in mean in diagnostic workup, admission rate to intensive care unit (ICU) or HLOS between the short and long EDLOS groups. Conclusion: EDLOS is not a significant parameter for HLOS in stable trauma patients.

Variations in length of stay among survived very preterm infants admitted to Chinese neonatal intensive care units

Background This study aimed to describe length of stay(LOS)to discharge and site variations among very preterm infants(VPIs)admitted to 57 Chinese neonatal intensive care units(NICUs)and to investigate factors associated with LOS for VPIs.Methods This retrospective multicenter cohort study enrolled all infants<32 weeks’gestation and admitted to 57 NICUs which had participated in the Chinese Neonatal Network,within 7 days after birth in 2019.Exclusion criteria included major congenital anomalies,NICU deaths,discharge against medical advice,transfer to non-participating hospitals,and missing discharge date.Two multivariable linear models were used to estimate the association of infant characteristics and LOS.Results A total of 6580 infants were included in our study.The overall median LOS was 46 days[interquartile range(IQR):35-60],and the median corrected gestational age at discharge was 36 weeks(IQR:35-38).LOS and corrected gestational age at discharge increased with decreasing gestational age.The median corrected gestational age at discharge for infants at 24 weeks,25 weeks,26 weeks,27-28 weeks,and 29-31 weeks were 41 weeks,39 weeks,38 weeks,37 weeks and 36 weeks,respectively.Significant site variation of LOS was identified with observed median LOS from 33 to 71 days in different hospitals.Conclusions The study provided concurrent estimates of LOS for VPIs which survived in Chinese NICUs that could be used as references for medical staff and parents.Large variation of LOS independent of infant characteristics existed,indicating variation of care practices requiring further investigation and quality improvement.

某院二日内出院病例统计分析

目的了解超短期住院病例特征．为医院管理决策提供信息。方法对某院一年内住院时间≤2d的出院病人与〉2d出院的两组病人对比分析，采用Excel 2007和SPSS130进行数据处理。结果两组病人来源地、医保类型、入院病情及治疗结果存在差异。结论完善医保制度和付费方式，加强门急诊、日间病房建设，可减少超短住院现象的发生．更有效地减少医疗资源浪费。

近5年前十病种分析

目的通过对出院患儿信息的统计,分析某院出院病人病种的构成及相关影响因素的变化,为医院管理与服务和患者就诊提供信息依据。方法资料来源于某儿童医院2013年10月至2018年9月236027例出院患儿,按时间顺序分为五年,分别对每一年的出院人数、病种数、平均住院天数的增长量、增长速度进行比较。结果五年间开放床位增长56.5%,出院人数、病种数、平均住院天数、平均住院费用分别累积增长45.81%、19.54%、-7.75%、38.88%。五年间前十个病种构成比有统计学意义(P<0.01),平均住院天数除新生儿黄疸、癫痫、肺炎、矮小症(P>0.05)和平均住院费用除矮小症、癫痫(P>0.05),其他均有统计学意义。部分病种患者性别构成有统计学意义。结论建议把肿瘤病种加入疾病诊断相关组纳入医疗保险,一次性付费;制定适宜的各病种平均住院日标准,控制住院医疗费用过快增长;合理增加床位;坚持三级预防的策略。

老年患者住院和出院时营养风险和应用量表的营养不良检出率多中心对比调查研究

目的应用营养风险筛查2002(NRS 2002)和主观全面营养评定(SGA)等工具,对比观察三甲医院老年患者住院和出院时变化。方法选择2014年6月至2014年9月9家三甲医院的消化内科、呼吸内科、普通外科、老年科、胸外科、神经内科、骨科和肿瘤内科等多个临床科室收治的住院时间在7~30 d、年龄≥65岁的住院患者,于入院和出院24 h内记录其临床资料、进行人体物理指标测量和实验室检查,应用NRS 2002和SGA;记录住院期间营养支持情况和临床结局指标,描述其与临床结局的相关性。结果符合入选标准的2558例≥65岁老年患者进入本研究;与入院时的检查相比,患者在出院时的握力、上臂围和小腿围均显著降低(P<0.05);总蛋白、白蛋白、血红蛋白均明显低于入院时水平(P<0.05);入院时营养风险(NRS 2002≥3分)发生率为51.1%,营养不良(SGA B+C)的发生率32.6%,出院前的营养风险发生率53.0%和营养不良发生率35.6%,高于入院时;入院时合并营养不良者的住院时间和医疗花费高于营养支持者,出院时营养状态与住院时间和医疗花费成负相关;住院期间61.3%存在营养风险患者未接受营养支持,接受营养支持的患者患者中,肠外营养使用率(19.6%)高于肠内营养(11.9%)。结论老年患者入院时营养风险或营养不良发生率较高,出院时上述指标没有显著改善,应重视住院期间老年患者的营养风险筛查和评价,规范营养干预,改善临床结局。

新型冠状病毒肺炎出院患者核酸复检阳性分析

目的了解新型冠状病毒肺炎(简称新冠肺炎)治愈患者出院后14 d内核酸复检阳性率,分析复检阳性影响因素和传播风险,为有效管理出院患者提供依据。方法对86例出院患者的随访信息和核酸检测结果进行分析,计算出院后14 d内的核酸复检阳性率,分析性别、年龄、感染来源、临床严重程度、病程和住院时间等因素与复检阳性的统计学关联。结果 86例出院患者均无发热、乏力、干咳等新冠肺炎相关症状,8例(9.30%)患者核酸复检阳性;性别、年龄、感染来源、临床严重程度与出院后核酸复检阳性无统计学关联(P>0.05);病程和住院时间与核酸复检阳性有统计学关联(P<0.05);共追踪8例核酸复检阳性患者的密切接触者20人,未发现感染者。结论病程和住院时间为出院后核酸复检阳性的影响因素,建议出院患者进行14 d的隔离管理。

影响平均住院日的主要因素

目的探讨影响平均住院日的主要因素。方法用专家评判法和相关分析法筛选指标,运用多元回归方法分析影响较为显著的指标。结果出院人数、24小时确诊率、治愈好转率、危重病人比例、院内感染率、病床周转次数等6项指标进入多元回归方程。结论应对影响平均住院日的主要因素采取有效措施,缩短出院者平均住院日,充分利用卫生资源。

病床管理服务中心在床位调配中应用的探讨

目的:研究病床管理服务中心在全院床位调配中发挥的作用。方法:医院成立病床管理服务中心的实施步骤,对比中心床位调配前后的病床使用率、出院者平均住院日和病床周转次数的相关医疗指标。结果:病房管理服务中心成立6个月后,共计调配跨科床位895张,病床使用率增加了6.78%,出院者平均住院日减少了0.51天,病床周转次数增加了1.67次,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:病床管理服务中心能有效地调配全院的床位,优化医院资源、改善医疗服务,今后应充分利用病床管理平台,发挥智慧医院在管理中的作用。