title: Hospital length of stay: social work services as an important factor.
abstract: In earlier studies it was found that the severity of patients' psychosocial problems was a significant predictor of length of stay (LOS). This current study compared predictors of LOS for samples of patients referred to social services in three large urban hospitals in June-October 2002 (n = 176) and 2006 (n = 147), and examined changes in patient characteristics and the nature of social work practice. A significant relationship between psychosocial severity and LOS was again found, confirming the important role that social services can potentially play in controlling hospital costs. Some significant changes were also found in the pattern of social work practice; this was generally in the direction of more community consultation and collaboration, suggesting a greater emphasis on multidisciplinary teamwork.
authors.affiliation: McGill University Health Centre, Adult Sites, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. constance.lechman@muhc.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lechman
authors.forename: Sydney
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duder
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012947:Social Work / Q000639:trends*; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult