Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Jan 2006
Factors causing delay in discharge of elderly patients in an acute care hospital.
Prolonged hospitalisation not only increases cost, it is also associated with other complications. Length of stay (LOS) is one of the indicators that reflect total cost of care during hospitalisation. So, it is of paramount importance to find out why elderly patients overstay in acute care hospitals and address these issues proactively. Since no local data is available, a study was planned to ascertain reasons why the discharging of elderly patients from hospital is delayed and whether these reasons are avoidable. ⋯ Elderly patients are more prone to hospitalisation-related complications like nosocomial infection and deconditioning leading to prolonged hospital stay. Early interventions can reduce these complications. Early identification of social issues and prompt discharge planning should be done to avoid delay in discharge.