title: Managing length of stay using patient flow--part 1.
abstract: This month we have discussed the fundamentals of patient flow and its related theories. We reviewed the concepts of demand and capacity management as they apply to the hospital setting. Patient flow requires daily diligence and attention. It should not be something focused on only on busy days, but should be managed each and every day. By taking a proactive approach to patient flow, the number of days your hospital will be bottlenecked can be reduced. Patient flow needs to be part of the daily activities of every case management department and should be factored in as a core role and function in a contemporary case management department. Patient flow needs to be addressed at the patient, departmental, and hospital level. In next month's issue we will continue our discussion on patient flow with a detailed review of specific examples that any case management department can use. We will also review all the departments and disciplines that contribute to patient flow and their role in it.
authors: Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors: Toni
authors: T
authors: Cesta
mesh_terms: D019090:Case Management; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity; D006801:Humans; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D007902:Length of Stay; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States