PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - P Hendy
AU  - JH Patel
AU  - T Kordbacheh
AU  - N Laskar
AU  - M Harbord
TI  - In-depth analysis of delays to patient discharge: a metropolitan teaching hospital experience
AID  - 10.7861/clinmedicine.12-4-320
DP  - 2012 Aug 01
TA  - Clinical Medicine
PG  - 320--323
VI  - 12
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/12/4/320.short
4100  - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/12/4/320.full
SO  - Clin Med2012 Aug 01; 12
AB  - Delayed patient discharge will likely exacerbate bed shortages. This study prospectively determined the frequency, causes and potential cost implications of delays for 83 consecutive patients, who were inpatients for a total of 888 days. 65% of patients experienced delay whilst awaiting a service. 48% of patients experienced delays that extended their discharge date. Discharge delays accounted for 21% of the cohort's inpatient stay, at an estimated cost of £565 per patient; 77% of these hold-ups resulted from delays in the provision of social and therapy requirements. Discharge delays are costly for hospitals and depressing for patients. Investment is required to enable health and social-care professionals to work more closely to improve the patient journey.