Delayed discharges for medical and surgical patients in an acute care hospital.
A study of social work-coordinated discharges from medical and surgical units at a 387-bed tertiary care hospital in Seattle, Washington examines social, medical and organizational factors associated with overstays. Social and medical variables included an absence of social supports, multiple diagnoses, and patient/family decision-making problems. Though organizational factors within and outside the hospital were identified, the most frequent systems delay was due to lack of post-hospital beds.
Semke
J
J
School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
VanderWeele
T
T
Weatherley
R
R
D000367:Age Factors; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000191:economics; D012948:Social Work Department, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014861:Washington