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[Short-stay units depending on Internal Medicine].
M J Barbado Ajo1, A Jimeno Carruez, J M Ostolaza Vázquez
1Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid.
Anales De Medicina Interna (Madrid, Spain : 1984)
|December 22, 1999
Summary
Short Stay Units in internal medicine can manage patients effectively, with 62.4% discharged within three days. However, identifying appropriate patients for these units remains a challenge.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Hospital Management
- Patient Care
Background:
- Investigating the utility of a Short Stay Unit (SSU) within Internal Medicine at a tertiary hospital.
- Managing patients under the "appropriate stay" concept.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the utility of an Internal Medicine Short Stay Unit.
- To evaluate cost-effectiveness and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Studied clinical and epidemic variables and sanitary indicators in 867 patients.
- Measured cost via average stays, explorations, and readmissions.
- Assessed effectiveness by the percentage of discharges staying three days or less.
Main Results:
- Average patient age was 65.05 years; 55% were male.
- Most common diagnoses included respiratory, nervous system, and digestive diseases.
- 62.4% of patients were discharged within three days, with a 9.36% readmission rate.
Conclusions:
- The Short Stay Unit demonstrated utility with a low cost in readmissions and explorations.
- 62.4% of patients had a short hospital stay.
- It was not possible to definitively identify which emergency service patients are appropriate for the SSU.