title: Factors associated with duration of inpatient hospital stay for patients with diabetes mellitus admitted to a medical unit in a community public hospital.
abstract: The aim was to examine predictors of duration of inpatient hospital stay in people with diabetes mellitus to assist implementation of strategies to reduce hospital stay. This audit prospectively studied patients with diabetes mellitus admitted to a medical unit of an Australian community public hospital. Other outcome measures included glucose treatment optimisation and access to GP and diabetes-specific healthcare professionals. Comparison was made to patients without diabetes mellitus who were admitted concomitantly. Diabetes patients represented 26% of admissions over a 2-month period. In total, 73% had seen a GP within the prior 6 months. Patients with diabetes mellitus (n=79) had a median age of 69 years; 53% were male and median HbA1cwas 65mmolmol-1(8.1%). Diabetes mellitus was associated with a longer inpatient stay (P=0.03), particularly among patients admitted with vascular disease. Age >65 years and seeing <3 members of the community-based diabetes mellitus multidisciplinary team (MDT) in the 2-years pre-admission were independently associated with a longer stay (P=0.02). In total, 10% were referred to an endocrinologist on discharge. Involvement of more of the diabetes-specific MDT, with a skilled GP, in primary care is recommended as it may shorten inpatient hospital stay, improve glycaemia and reduce demand for limited specialist endocrinologists.
authors.affiliation: Werribee Mercy Hospital, 300-310 Princes Highway, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.
authors.forename: Melissa H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Werribee Mercy Hospital, 300-310 Princes Highway, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.
authors.forename: Lillianne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liprino
authors.affiliation: Werribee Mercy Hospital, 300-310 Princes Highway, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.affiliation: Werribee Mercy Hospital, 300-310 Princes Highway, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cayzer
authors.affiliation: Werribee Mercy Hospital, 300-310 Princes Highway, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Weedon
authors.affiliation: Werribee Mercy Hospital, 300-310 Princes Highway, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bermingham
authors.affiliation: The University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Vic. 3065, Australia.
authors.forename: Alicia J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.affiliation: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rowley
authors.affiliation: Werribee Mercy Hospital, 300-310 Princes Highway, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: O'Neal
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care