title: Decreasing inpatient length of stay at a military medical treatment facility.
abstract: This article describes an evidence-based approach to decreasing the length of stay of inpatient adults on the medicine oncology ward of a large urban military medical center. A strong and diverse team was formed, which worked together for the length of the project. A formalized approach involving weekly discharge-planning meetings with a discharge advocate as the planner, coupled with solid documentation, was adopted. There was a decrease in the average length of stay on the inpatient wards, resulting in cost savings for the facility. This approach using strong evidence can overcome institutional challenges, with a positive impact on patient care.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, Tripler Army Medical Center, 1 Jarrett White Road, Honolulu, HI 96859, USA. Electronic address: allison.l.ferro.mil@mail.mil.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferro
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, Tripler Army Medical Center, 1 Jarrett White Road, Honolulu, HI 96859, USA.
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mullens
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology, Tripler Army Medical Center, 1 Jarrett White Road, Honolulu, HI 96859, USA.
authors.forename: Seth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Randall
mesh_terms: D017046:Cost Savings; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008887:Military Medicine; D010351:Patient Discharge
keywords: Discharge planning; Evidence-based practice; Inpatient; Length of stay