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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Australia, Efficiency, Organizational, Female, Hospital Mortality, Hospitals, Urban, Humans, Length of Stay, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Readmission, Patient Transfer, Process Assessment (Health Care), Quality of Health Care.
user
Does inter-hospital lateral transfer increase length of stay? Context: The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of an inter-hospital transfer on efficiency and quality of in-patient care. A retrospective cohort study from 2010 to 2012 inclusive was conducted in two tertiary-referral urban hospitals within a single area healthcare network. The study included 14 571 acutely unwell patients admitted to a general medical service. The main outcome measures were length of in-patient stay, relative stay index, readmission rate within 7 and 28 days of discharge and in-hospital mortality rate. Compared with patients who were transferred to a long-stay ward within the original hospital (n = 3465), transferred patients (n = 1531) were older (71 vs 80 years, respectively; P < 0.001) but suffered less comorbidity (Charlson index 0.84 vs 1.22, respectively; P < 0.001). Transferred patients spent a shorter time in hospital (5.69 vs 6.25 days; P < 0.001) and were less likely to be re-admitted within 7 days (1.5% vs 4.0%; P < 0.001) or 28 days (6.3% vs 9.3%; P < 0.001) than patients who were not transferred. Mortality was lower in the transferred patients (1.1% vs 4.1%).
assistant
Appropriate patients for inter-hospital transfer can be selected within 24 h of arrival at an index hospital. The efficiency of their care at the receiving hospital appears not to be compromised. The present study provides support for inter-hospital transfer as a strategy to optimise regional bed capacity. Final Decision: no