Reducing the length of postnatal hospital stay: implications for cost and quality of care

Conclusions:
Many policy debates, such as that about the length of postnatal hospital-stay, demand consideration of multiple dimensions. This paper demonstrates how diverse data sources and techniques can be integrated to provide a more holistic analysis. Our study suggests that while earlier discharge from the postnatal ward may achievable, it may not generate all of the anticipated cost savings. Some useful savings may be realised but if staff and bed capacity are simply reduced in proportion to the length of stay, care quality may be compromised.

Source: Epidemiologic Perspectives and Innovations - January 15, 2016 Category: Epidemiology Authors: John BowersHelen Cheyne Source Type: research