ArticleBMJ open2016
Delayed discharges at a major arterial centre: a 4-month cross-sectional study at a single specialist vascular surgery ward.
Article in BMJ open, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed.
- Improving delayed discharge in gastrointestinal surgery patients: An integrative review.International journal of nursing studies advances · 2025Review
- Percutaneous mechanical atherothrombectomy versus arterial bypass surgery for femoropopliteal in-stent restenosis: a budget impact analysis.Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions · 2025Article
- Impact of accurate initial discharge planning and inpatient transfers of care on discharge delays: a retrospective cohort study.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Pre-stroke disability and stroke severity as predictors of discharge destination from an acute stroke ward.Clinical medicine (London, England) · 2021Article
- Delayed discharge after major surgical procedures in Ontario, Canada: a population-based cohort study.CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne · 2020Article
- A 'hot clinic' for cold limbs: the benefit of urgent clinics for patients with critical limb ischaemia.Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England · 2020Article
- Impact of transfer status on real-world outcomes in nonelective cardiac surgery.The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery · 2020Article
- Reduced length of stay and 30-day readmission rate on an inpatient vascular surgery service.Journal of vascular nursing : official publication of the Society for Peripheral Vascular Nursing · 2019Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesDelayed discharges are a significant problem for the National Health Service. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and impact of delayed discharge at a single specialist vascular surgery ward.
designA cross-sectional observational study.
settingA single specialist vascular unit in the UK during a 4-month study period (01/09/2014-31/12/2014).
participantsAll patients admitted to the ward during the study period were included. Patients spending ≥1 night on the ward once declared medically fit for discharge (MFFD) were prospectively identified and data prospectively collected. All other patients were identified retrospectively with data collected retrospectively from electronic records. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was number of patients experiencing delayed discharge. Secondary outcome measures were length of stay, length of delay and cost of delay.
resultsThere were 268 admissions with a total length of stay (LoS) of 2776 days. 57 admissions (21.3%) experienced delayed discharges with a total 535 excess bed days (19.3% total LoS) once MFFD. Unplanned admission (relative risk 7.3 (95% CI 2.7 to 20.0; p<0.001)) and index amputation (relative risk 9.2 (95% CI 3.8 to 22.0; p<0.001)) were associated with increased risk of delayed discharge. There were significant differences in the length of delay by the reason for the delay (p=0.01). Delay due to the provision of social services and inpatient rehabilitation were associated with longer length of delay (post hoc analysis). Age was not independently associated with either increased risk of delayed discharge or length of delay.The total estimated cost of delayed discharges during the study period was £146 055.
conclusionsA significant number of vascular patients experience delayed discharge. MFFD vascular patients occupy a high proportion of vascular beds at considerable financial cost. Unplanned admissions, amputees and those delayed due to social services contributed most to delays. Closer integration with community health and social care providers may reduce delays.
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