title: An analysis of the factors affecting the average length of stay in the otolaryngology unit.
abstract: Specific factors which have an influence on the average length of stay in the otolaryngology unit of a University Hospital are studied; the patients are covered by some type of insurance and have no out-of-pocket expenses. The effect of the following variables on the average length of stay is evaluated: age, sex and type of pathology. The periods of hospitalisation are significantly longer (Mann-Whitney test) in males (p < 0.0001), in older patients (p < 0.008) and in the case of tumours, which prolong the period of stay especially of males (p < 0.0001). It is suggested that the shorter stay in the case of females may be conditioned by social and family factors.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clínico y Provincial de Barcelona y Facultad de Medicina, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuchi
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bayas
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lledó
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bohigas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sentís
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Asenjo
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data