Factors affecting length of stay in the emergency department: A research from an operational viewpoınt

ABSTRACT

Background: Due to the persistent increase inpatient volumes of emergency departments, improving the timeliness of emergency care delivery has become more important from an operational viewpoint. Objectives: To determine the main factors affecting length of stay (LOS) in an ED of a large-scale training hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective study set in an urban ED. The outcome variable of the study was LOS; demographic, status-based, and time-based predictor variables were gender, age, arrival type, diagnosis, month, day of the week, and period of the day. The descriptive statistics are presented. The hypotheses of this study were tested with an independent group t-test and ANOVA. A multivariate linear regression model was built to identify the dependence of LOS on the predictor variables. Results: LOS significantly differed based on diagnosis, day of the week, and period of the day. Weekends and evening periods had higher ED volumes, and a decrease in mean LOS. In the regression model, with the exception of month, all predictor variables were observed to be significant. As a result it is concluded that understanding time based factors and preparing the staffing schedule according to these could improve the timeliness of emergency care delivery.

KEYWORDS:

• Emergency department
• hospital
• length of stay
• time-based factors
• operations management

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest was declared.

Notes on contributors

Asst. Prof. Dr. Görkem Sarıyer received her Phd degree from Koc University, Department of Industrial Engineering and Opreations Management at 2013. Her research interest includes operations planning and decision making in service/manufacturing systems. She focuses especially on emergency health services.

Mustafa Gökalp Ataman, MD, is an Emergency Medicine Specialist. He researches on EMS planning and analysis.

General Surgeon İlker Kızıloğlu has not only academical but also administrative experience. He currently works as a chief physician at Cigli Regional Education Hospital.