SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Impact of Mulit-Disciplinary Task Force on Los and Throughput

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This project at Saint Francis Health System in Tulsa, OK examined whether a multidisciplinary Length of Stay (LOS) Task Force could reduce acute length of stay, improve throughput, and maintain quality outcomes across the hospitalist service line.<br /><br />The task force included senior leadership, hospitalists, and case management, with additional support from pharmacy, transport, nursing, and referring providers as needed. Meeting biweekly, the team identified discharge barriers and focused on three main strategies: earlier communication about discharge obstacles, greater use of the discharge lounge, and increased direct admissions.<br /><br />Key interventions included monthly best-practice memos to hospitalists, improved collaboration with PCPs and referral sources to facilitate direct admissions, a revamped transfer process, a systemwide campaign promoting the discharge lounge, a daily 3 p.m. bed huddle between case management and hospitalists, and a “teed up discharge” workflow requiring discharge barriers to be addressed 24–48 hours in advance.<br /><br />The project was driven by several metrics, including acute LOS, complication rate, mortality rate, readmission rate, and ER hold hours. Results showed meaningful improvement: ER hold times decreased by 4%, 51.2%, and 51.3% across the three acute care facilities. Acute length of stay decreased by 0.51 days, or 8.4%, across the department. Mortality fell by 20% and complication rates by 36%. Process measures also improved, including more direct admissions and greater discharge lounge use.<br /><br />Overall, the LOS Task Force demonstrated that coordinated, multidisciplinary collaboration can significantly improve hospital throughput and patient outcomes. The authors conclude that this model can serve as a framework for addressing future hospital medicine challenges.

Asset Subtitle

Prodromos M. Angelidis

Meta Tag

Author List Prodromos M. Angelidis

Category Research

Concept Length of Stay Task Force

Concept Acute Length of Stay

Concept Discharge Barrier

Concept Throughput

Concept Early Discharge Planning

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Saint Francis Health Sytem

Presenting Author Prodromos M. Angelidis

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

length of stay

LOS task force

hospital throughput

discharge lounge

direct admissions

multidisciplinary collaboration

acute care

patient outcomes

hospitalist service line

readmission rate

Length of Stay Task Force

Acute Length of Stay

Discharge Barrier

Throughput

Early Discharge Planning