SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Increasing Early Hospital Discharges: A Successful Case of Healthy Competition

Pdf Summary

This quality improvement project aimed to increase early hospital discharges at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital during a period of rising pediatric respiratory admissions and hospital crowding. A multidisciplinary team implemented interventions focused on three areas: information sharing, physician workflow, and faculty incentives.<br /><br />Key changes included an EMR dashboard and monthly performance emails to share discharge statistics, assigning a daily early-discharge attending, organizing early morning team communication, and including participation in bonus considerations. These measures were designed to improve awareness, coordination, and motivation around early discharge practices.<br /><br />After implementation, the percentage of discharges occurring before 12 PM increased by 15.7%. This improvement occurred despite a rise in emergency department admissions of 79 patients per month. Importantly, the intervention did not worsen hospital throughput: median ED wait time to admission remained unchanged. In addition, 7-day readmissions decreased by 0.4%, suggesting that earlier discharge did not compromise patient safety.<br /><br />The project demonstrates that targeted operational changes and healthy competition can improve patient flow, avoid unnecessary hospital stays, and support hospital capacity during surges without increasing adverse outcomes.

Asset Subtitle

Magi (Ishak Gabra) Dickinson

Meta Tag

Author List Alejandra Frauenfelder Sánchez, Magi (Ishak Gabra) Dickinson, Marcos Mestre, Melissa C. Clemente, Veronica Etinger

Category Research

Concept Quality Improvement

Concept Early Hospital Discharge

Concept Discharge timing

Concept Balancing Measure

Concept Data Sharing Tool

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Nicklaus Children's

Presenting Author Magi (Ishak Gabra) Dickinson

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

early hospital discharge

pediatric respiratory admissions

hospital crowding

quality improvement

EMR dashboard

physician workflow

faculty incentives

patient flow

ED wait time

readmission rate

Quality Improvement

Early Hospital Discharge

Discharge timing

Balancing Measure

Data Sharing Tool