A new study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found shortening hospital length of stay (LOS) does not lead to increased readmission rates for pediatric patients. In adult patients, shorter hospital LOS is associated with a higher risk of hospital readmission for some conditions. Previously this association had not been shown in children. This study explored the association between index hospitalization LOS and pediatric readmissions by capitalizing on the natural variation in LOS across patients and hospitals. The study findings likely reflects well-managed LOS for pediatric patients.
Read more:
- Association of Extending Hospital Length of Stay With Reduced Pediatric Hospital Readmissions. JAMA Pediatrics. December 28 2018
- Additional reporting on this study: Shorter Hospital Stays Don’t Increase Pediatric Readmissions. Health Leaders. January 8 2019