Medicare Inpatient Length of Stay: A Relevant Value Metric

Reducing inpatient length of stay has a strong impact on value and organizational performance, and is linked with improving quality and access. Shorter stays decrease a patient's risk of acquiring an infection, having an adverse drug reaction and developing a pressure ulcer. Readmission rates more than triple when length of stay increases from one day to 15 or more days, from 9 percent to 28.1 percent. Silver Cross Hospital mobilized its resources and engaged the medical staff leadership to manage length of stay. Managing length of stay increases inpatient capacity to meet growing demand, decreases complication rates and supports the hospital's financial health.

This case study is part of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association's annual Quality Excellence Achievement Awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals and health systems in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These organizations are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim—improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction), improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of health care—and the Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement—safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. To learn more, visit https://www.ihaqualityawards.org/javascript-ui/IHAQualityAward/