A Pourreza , Z Kavosi , M Mahmoudi , A Batebi ,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (3 2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was the assessment of inappropriate admissions and hospital stays and reasons for this in the hospitals affiliated to Tehran university of Medical Sciences.
Materials and Methods: We used the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) to evaluate the appropriateness of 258 admissions to Dr. Shariati and Imam Khomeini hospitals and 1732 days of hospital stay for the same patients.
Findings indicate that on the whole, 22.8% of admissions were inappropriate and the length of stay for patients who were inappropriately admitted was significantly shorter than for those whose admission was judged to be appropriate.
Results: Results show that 8.6% of the total number of patient stay days were unnecessary the figures differ significantly between the two hospitals. The most frequent reason for inappropriate hospital stay was the delay in the discharge process .Consultations and delay in surgical operations were other causes of inappropriate patient stay.
Conclusion: A substantial proportion of hospital admissions and stays were found to be inappropriate due to hospital procedures and inadequacies in the lower levels of healthcare. Efficient use of hospital resources should be promoted by modifying procedures, improving the performance of the healthcare system and revising insurance policies.
