Optimization of hospital stay through length-of-stay-oriented case management: an empirical study

Abstract

Background and objectives An important component of efficient and high-quality treatment of patients under DRG conditions is the control of patients' length of stay in hospitals. Medical processes need to be structured in such a way that unnecessary extensions of the length of stay are avoided, thus achieving an economically and qualitatively optimal result. The study presented here examines the question of whether the introduction of length-of-stayoriented case management can optimize the duration of patients' hospital stays. Methods In total, 168 inpatient cases and their matched control cases from the cardiology and urology stations of a maximum care hospital are examined in this study. Results The result of the t-test for the difference of means indicates that the average length of stay of the intervention cases (5.79 days) was significantly shorter than the average length of stay of the control cases (7.34 days). With respect to the re-admission rate, a statistically significant dependence could not be determined.

Automated vs. manual cerebrospinal fluid cell counts: a work and cost analysis comparing the Sysmex XE-5000 and the Fuchs-Rosenthal manual counting chamber

“…, 2010). In this study, we compared CSF cell counting with the Fuchs–Rosenthal counting chamber and the XE‐5000 analyzer employing a comparative work and cost analysis, including a workflow analysis and turn‐around time (TAT) determination (Kainzinger et al. , 2009).…”

“…CSF) and the predifferentiation of polymorphonuclear (PMN), mononuclear (MN) and high-fluores-cent (HFL) cells (Boer, Deufel & Reinhö fer, 2009;De Jonge et al, 2010). In this study, we compared CSF cell counting with the Fuchs-Rosenthal counting chamber and the XE-5000 analyzer employing a comparative work and cost analysis, including a workflow analysis and turn-around time (TAT) determination (Kainzinger et al, 2009).…”

Introducing HCM v3.0

“…The length of stay for the intervention group averaged 5.89 compared with the control group of 7.34. In addition, readmissions within 30 days was 1.45% in the control group and 0.60% in the intervention group and new revenue resulting from increased bed availability was appreciably increased (Kainzinger et al, 2010).…”

“…A commensurate control of the treatment process can be described as case management. (Researchers' italics; Kainzinger, Raible, Pietrek, Muller-Nordhorn, & Willich, 2010) In describing the intervention and control methodology used in the investigation, the researchers report that the HCM and the physician establish a working DRG and set a target discharge day. The HCM has no other duties besides case management responsibilities for optimally coordinating the treatment process.…”

Health Care Systems

“…However, various empirical studies on US and German hospitals conclude that the implementation of case management systems and/or payment per case systems for hospitals led to a reduction in the length of stay without affecting treatment quality (e.g. Kainzinger et al, 2009). Shorter ALOSs also reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infection.…”