Factor Affecting Length of Stay More Than 6 Hours in Emergency Department

Authors

  • Korakot Plongthong Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
  • Boriboon Chenthanakij Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
  • Borwon Wittayachamnankul Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
  • Parinya Tianwibool Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
  • Phichayut Phinyo Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
  • Theerapon Tangsuwanaruk Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University

Keywords:

emergency department, hospital administration, length of stay

Abstract

Background & Rationale: Extended length of stay (LOS) in the emergency department (ED) affects LOS in hospital, increased mortality and increased hospital resource uses. Knowing factors affecting ex­tended ED LOS should lead to improved patient’s quality of care. Methodology: The study design was a retrospective analytical study in ED at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital between January 2018 to June 2019 by collecting data from the electronic medical records. Data collection included factors ex­pected to extend ED LOS 6 hours and longer by using multivariable logistics regression. Result: A total of 330 patients of whom 165 with ED LOS ≥ 6 hours were eligible. The risk factor for staying 6 hours and longer in the ED was having urine investigation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.43, 95% CI 2.05-5.73, p < 0.01). Moreover, patients in the evening and night shifts observed a shorter ED LOS compared to the day shift (aOR 0.26, 95% CI 0.15-0.47, p < 0.01 and aOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21-0.77, p < 0.01, respectively). For patient presentation to ED, the refer-in patients had a shorter ED LOS compared to the walk-in patients (aOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.15-0.70, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The factors extending ED LOS ≥ 6 hours included urine investigation process and the day shift. Refer-in patients were likely to have a shortened ED LOS.

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Published

30-09-2021

How to Cite

1.
Plongthong K, Chenthanakij B, Wittayachamnankul B, Tianwibool P, Phinyo P, Tangsuwanaruk T. Factor Affecting Length of Stay More Than 6 Hours in Emergency Department. J Health Syst Res [internet]. 2021 Sep. 30 [cited 2025 Nov. 17];15(3):381-90. available from: https://he04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/j_hsr/article/view/3501

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Original article