Review Of Unnecessary length of stay and Costs Of Eldery Patients With Stroke In Acute Care Department Of Fayyaze Bakhsh Hospital-Tehran

Title: The unnecessary length of stay and costs in elderly with stroke in Tehran; Fayyaz Bakhsh hospital Abstract Objectives To determine the duration of length of stay (LOS) of elderly with stroke that could be reduced by staying in sub acute care services and estimate of unnecessary costs of hospitalization. Methods and Materials In the present descriptive study, 51 patients (31 female and 20 males) that have been admitted to neurology ward of Fayyaz bakhsh hospital in summer 2013, were studied. The informed consent was obtained from all of the participants. Checklists of background demographic variables, past medical history and the treatment strategy of choice were completed for each patient. Results The range of participants’ age was 60-93 (mean 79.9). Thirty of 50 patients (60%) could be transferred to sub acute care services. In this way, 107 days of 355 days of total length of stay (30% of total LOS) could be reduced. The average length of stay was 7 days, and on average could be reduced to 5 days and the costs of hospitalization could be reduced proportionately. Conclusion The length of stay and its costs could be reduced in elderly with stroke and they could be transferred to sub acute care services instead of unnecessary hospital stay. Key Words: elderly; stroke; acute care; sub acute care; stroke.