P.119 Impact of postoperative discharge destination on length of stay

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to assess factors impacting the postoperative length of stay (LOS) for patients undergoing microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery. Methods: A consecutive series of patients undergoing MVD at the Winnipeg Centre for Cranial Nerve Disorders were reviewed. All patients were monitored in a neurosurgical stepdown unit for at least 6 hours postoperatively and when medically stable discharged at their own discretion. The hospital LOS was measured in hours from midnight after day of surgery and categorized by days in hospital. Results: The 112 patients included 53 Manitobans (MB) and 59 from out of province (OOP). The overall LOS was 38±52 hours, and not significantly different between genders, diagnosis or age. LOS was significantly shorter for OOP versus MB patients (28±23/48±71 hours; p=0.02). OOP patients were also more often discharged on the first postoperative day (59% versus 32%; p=0.02) and 85% of them stayed at the hotel within the hospital complex prior to travelling home. Conclusions: Postoperative discharge to an adjacent hotel appears to have led to shorter LOS. These patients may have been reassured by the physical proximity to medical care. The utilization of discharge to an adjacent hotel or comparable faculty may reduce hospitalization days and associated costs.