SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Standardized Physical Therapy Ordering Framework and Early Recognization of Discharge Delays Reduces Discharge Delays by 50%: A Multidisciplinary Innovation in Hospital Throughput

Standardized Physical Therapy Ordering Framework and Early Recognization of Discharge Delays Reduces Discharge Delays by 50%: A Multidisciplinary Innovation in Hospital Throughput

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This poster describes a multidisciplinary quality improvement project at Overlook Medical Center aimed at reducing discharge delays in adult medical-surgical units and improving hospital throughput. A baseline review from February 2024 to January 2025 found 1,857 discharge delays, with a median delay of 26.5 hours and an average delay of 57.3 hours. Major causes included insurance authorization, post-acute rehabilitation placement, patient/family-related issues, transportation, and physical therapy (PT)-related delays.<br /><br />To address these bottlenecks, the team implemented a standardized, mobility-based PT ordering framework, staff education on discharge disposition criteria, early family engagement within four hours, a secure-chat communication system linking PT, case management, social work, and nursing, improved mobility-risk identification, and better discharge-delay data capture. Patient education efforts were also planned.<br /><br />The poster compares outcomes before and after the intervention. After implementation, median delay hours fell from 26.5 to 5.25 hours, and average delay hours decreased from 57.3 to 27.98 hours. PT order volume dropped by 14.2%, and PT order-to-note turnaround time improved by 20.9% on average. Patient/family-related delays also improved substantially. Transportation became the leading remaining delay category, suggesting that earlier issues had been reduced and that transportation is now the main opportunity for further improvement.<br /><br />Overall, the project concludes that standardized PT ordering, better interdisciplinary communication, early discharge planning, and improved data capture can significantly reduce discharge delays and improve hospital flow.

Asset Subtitle

Kushal Shukla

Meta Tag

Author List Jodi Bischoff, Kushal Shukla, Maria Stratton

Category Innovations

Concept Discharge Delay

Concept Length of Stay

Concept Hospital Capacity

Concept Physical Therapy Consult

Concept Throughput

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Atlantic Health

Presenting Author Kushal Shukla

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

discharge delays

hospital throughput

quality improvement

physical therapy ordering

interdisciplinary communication

case management

early discharge planning

post-acute placement

transportation delays

medical-surgical units

Discharge Delay

Length of Stay

Hospital Capacity

Physical Therapy Consult

Throughput