SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Impact of Expected Discharge Date Discussion on Length of Stay

Pdf Summary

This project evaluated whether standardizing multidisciplinary rounds (MDRs) to consistently discuss and document each patient’s Expected Discharge Date (EDD) could reduce hospital length of stay (LOS) at Aurora Sinai Medical Center, a safety-net hospital in Milwaukee.<br /><br />Before the intervention, MDRs varied across units in participants, discussion content, and goals, leading to inconsistent discharge planning and siloed work. A discharge efficiency work group created a scripted MDR process with clear roles: the attending provider presented each patient first, including active issues and EDD, followed in a fixed order by the nurse, case manager, social worker, pharmacist, and physical therapist. The case manager summarized expected discharges at the end of rounds. EDD discussion and documentation were audited twice weekly.<br /><br />The standardized MDR was piloted on the largest medical unit in April 2023 and then expanded to other inpatient units in May and June 2023. The team measured EDD discussion/documentation rates and monthly average LOS.<br /><br />Results showed a significant reduction in LOS: the pre-intervention average LOS was 6.09 days (SD 0.4) from July 2022 to March 2023, compared with 5.51 days (SD 0.3) from April to November 2023 after implementation. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.00048). The intervention also produced a fourfold improvement in EDD discussion and documentation rates.<br /><br />The authors concluded that early, standardized discussion of EDD during MDRs improved discharge planning and contributed to a sustained reduction in LOS. The process was later scaled hospital-wide.

Asset Subtitle

Rupesh Prasad

Meta Tag

Author List Rupesh Prasad, Sue Harvey, Suzy Lesser, Tatek Takele, Tulay Aksoy

Category Innovations

Concept Multidisciplinary Rounding

Concept Discharge Planning

Concept Care Coordination

Concept Estimated Discharge Date

Concept Length of Stay

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Advocate Health Care

Presenting Author Rupesh Prasad

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

multidisciplinary rounds

expected discharge date

length of stay

discharge planning

hospital efficiency

standardized rounds

patient discharge

inpatient care

Aurora Sinai Medical Center

quality improvement

Multidisciplinary Rounding

Discharge Planning

Care Coordination

Estimated Discharge Date

Length of Stay