PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Walter L Biffl
AU  - Ning Lu
AU  - Peter R Schultz
AU  - Jiayan Wang
AU  - Matthew R Castelo
AU  - Kathryn B Schaffer
TI  - Improving length of stay on a trauma service
AID  - 10.1136/tsaco-2021-000744
DP  - 2021 Aug 01
TA  - Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open
PG  - e000744
VI  - 6
IP  - 1
4099  - http://tsaco.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000744.short
4100  - http://tsaco.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000744.full
SO  - Trauma Surg Acute Care Open2021 Aug 01; 6
AB  - Background Reducing length of stay (LOS) is a major healthcare initiative. While LOS is closely linked to the diagnosis and procedure in elective surgery, many additional factors influence LOS on a trauma service. We hypothesized that more standardized patient management would lead to decreased LOS.Methods Retrospective analysis of Trauma Registry data compared LOS before (PRE) and after (POST) implementation of standardized processes on a trauma service. Patients were subdivided by age (over and under 65 years). Data were compared using unpaired t-test, χ2 test and analysis of variance tests, where appropriate.Results 1613 PRE and 1590 POST patients were compared. Although age and Injury Severity Score were similar, median LOS decreased by 1 day for the group overall (p<0.0001), and for subgroups over and under the age of 65 years (p<0.0001). Older patients were discharged home 13% more often in POST, compared with 4% more for younger patients.Conclusions Improved standardization of processes on a trauma service reduced LOS in patients of all ages. A prospective study may identify specific factors associated with prolonged LOS, to allow further improvement.Level of evidence III.Study type Therapeutic/Care management.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information.