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Background: This study investigated the Length of Stay (LOS) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and its influential factors as a step toward revising hospital policies, more appropriate resources usage and improving health system performance.

Materials and Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted on 246 patients, among nine general ICUs of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Variables such as age, type of disease, existing nosocomial infection and APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) score were studied. SPSS software utilized for statistical analysis using Mann Witney U and regression.

Results: The mean and median of LOS was 8.6±19.2 and 2 (1-7) days, respectively. Mortality rate was 19.9% (N=49). The mean age was 52.7±22.07 yrs which LOS enhanced with increasing age (r=0.35, p<0.001). The mean  of APACHE II score was 14.2±6 and it raised  with increasing patients LOS (r=0.19, p=0.01). Average length of stay in patients with surgical diagnosis was 6.71 days less than others. Among effecting factors, nosocomial infection (p<0.001), need for mechanical ventilation in the first 24 hours of hospitalization (p<0.001) and a past medical history (p=0.012) which prolonged LOS significantly.

Conclusions: In this study, type of disease, hospital infection and age were the most important affecting factors on the length of stay. Thus, implementing effective interventions in order to maintain patients' health and safety is recommended. Since, half of the patients were hospitalized less than two days, providing protocols are necessary to make better use of ICU resources for patients who really need.

Background: Decision to stop or continue the treatment after awareness about complications and risks is patients' rights. On the other hand, patient`s discharge against medical advice could threaten patients' health. This study aimed to determine the causes of patient`s discharge against medical advice to prevent negative effects on patients and health costs.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 342 patients who left hospitals regarding discharge against medical advice were enrolled. Up to 48 hours of leaving hospital, the patients were received telephone contact, and if consented, were asked about the potential causes and whether or not the explanation of nurses or physician about the risks and side effects of discharge against medical advice. Furthermore, causes of discharge against medical advice were categorized as patient, hospital condition and combined causes.

Results: Study findings revealed that 48.5% of patients with personal reasons, 26% because of dissatisfaction with the service and 25.5% due to a combination of causes left the hospital. Most of the patients were in emergency department (p<0.001). There was relationship between type of disease (p= 0.037) and referred shift of patients (p=0.002) with type of discharge.

Conclusion: Given to the study results, it seems that planning for providing and maintaining human resources, training staff especially new entrance, monitoring medical team performance and organizing the triage system are essential in patient`s discharge against medical advice.