Variation in hospital length of stay: do physicians adapt their length of stay decisions to what is usual in the hospital where they work?

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To test the hypothesis that physicians who work in different hospitals adapt their length of stay decisions to what is usual in the hospital under consideration.

Data sources

Secondary data were used, originating from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS). SPARCS is a major management tool for assisting hospitals, agencies, and health care organizations with decision making in relation to financial planning and monitoring of inpatient and ambulatory surgery services and costs in New York state.

Study design

Data on length of stay for surgical interventions and medical conditions (a total of seven diagnosis-related groups [DRGs]) were studied, to find out whether there is more variation between than within hospitals. Data (1999, 2000

SUBMITTER: de Jong JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1702523 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature