DETERMINANTS OF LENGTH OF STAY IN GEROPSYCHIATRY

To examine factors associated with prolonged length of stay (LOS) on a n inpatient, acute geropsychiatry service, the authors reviewed electr onic medical records and social work files for patients discharged dur ing a 12-month period. There was no significant correlation between LO S and age, medical comorbidity, or the presence of dementia, depressio n, or psychosis. Patients transferred to adult homes or nursing homes stayed twice as long as patients who returned to their own homes (84 v s. 41 days; P = 0.002). Discharge disposition (rather than clinical fa ctors) is associated with prolonged LOS in geropsychiatry and should b e the focus of efforts to shorten hospital stays.