Key result
Declining hospital length of stay from 1991-1997 did not worsen postdischarge outcomes for patients without DNR orders, but mortality increased by 21% to 72% for those with early DNR orders.
Why the study?
Is a shorter length of hospital stay associated with higher risk-adjusted postdischarge mortality and readmission rates in Medicare patients?
Cohort (n=83,445)
Is a shorter length of hospital stay associated with higher risk-adjusted postdischarge mortality and readmission rates in Medicare patients?
The decline in hospital length of stay from 1991 to 1997 did not worsen postdischarge outcomes for patients without DNR orders, but was associated with increased mortality among patients with early DNR orders.
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Early DNR patients may face higher mortality with shorter stays; leaves open effects in contemporary cohorts.
Baker et al. (2004) conducted a cohort in Myocardial infarction, heart failure, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, or stroke (n=83,445). Shorter length of hospital stay vs. Expected length of stay was evaluated on Risk-adjusted mortality rates and readmission rates (95% CI 3%-30%). Declining hospital length of stay from 1991-1997 did not worsen postdischarge outcomes for patients without DNR orders, but mortality increased by 21% to 72% for those with early DNR orders.
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