title: Effects of early discharge planning on length of hospital stay.
abstract: This experimental research tests the effect of discharge planning on length of hospital stay. In this study of 432 medical patients in a southwestern medical center, discharge planning implemented within 24 hours of hospital admission significantly reduced length of stay. Projected savings to the institution far exceed the cost of implementation.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Farren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004471:Economics, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011787:Quality of Health Care