["Follow up" strategy in the management of hospital stay]

In countries with emerging economies, the adequate and efficient management of resources is a priority, through strategies to reduce prolonged stay, increase the availability of beds, maximize profitability and reduce iatrogenic complications.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of the "Follow up" strategy (FU) on the main indicators of the hospitalization process.

A cross-sectional, comparative study was developed to evaluate the impact of the FU strategy on the indicators: hospital admissions and discharges, average days of hospital stay (DEH), percentage of hospital occupancy (OH), bed substitution interval (ISC), bed turnover rate (CRI) and prolonged hospital stay (EHP).

The FU was associated with a reduction in DEH [5.7 (5.5-6.1) vs. 6.5 days (6.1-6.9), p = 0.01]; ISC [0.6 (0.4-0.8) vs. 1.2 (0.8-1.3), p = 0.01] and EHP [23.6 (21.6-24.7) vs. 26.3% (24.4-28.7), p = 0.02] compared to the control group, with an increase in existence [1436 (1381-1472) vs. 1347 patient days (1280-1402), p = 0.02], respectively. There was no significant difference in the number of admissions, discharges or in the IRC.

The FU reduces the average number of days of hospital stay, the rate of bed substitution and prolonged stay.