A prospective evaluation of discharge efficiency in a university general medical unit

To determine whether a significant delay existed between the date when patients admitted to the University General Medical Unit (UGMU) at Princess Alexandra Hospital were considered to be medically Jit for discharge, and the date of actual discharge from the ward, we undertook a prospective evaluation of all general medical patients admitted under the care of the UGMU physicians during the period 1 August to 31 October 1995 inclusive. A delay in discharge from the ward of more than one day occurred in 31.1% of patients, with the total number of days attributed to discharge delays representing 17% of all bed days, The two major causes of delays in discharge identified were insufficient institutional care beds and failure to plan patient discharges, Strategies proposed to improve discharge efficiency include early discharge planning, the provision of interim care wards and in fire longer term, the provision of increased nursing home and hostel beds.