Reducing Length of Stay

NHS reforms have for the first time given real incentives for NHS hospitals to reduce the length of time their patients spend in hospital. Reducing hospital admissions and caring for people more appropriately outside of hospital is key. However, when hospital care is needed, the NHS needs to minimise that time, whilst not undermining patient safety or quality of care. Alongside changes to administrative systems and processes, a major factor in reducing length of stay is improving levels of care so that patients recover more quickly.

In the current climate of mounting NHS deficits and with the impending Comprehensive Spending Review in 2007, productivity and efficiency are paramount. Cash in the NHS will need to be spent more wisely. Considering the average cost for a patient to stay in an NHS surgical ward is up to £400 per day, the financial benefits of reducing length of stay are huge. Technology has a significant role to play in this.

In the results of a randomised controlled clinical trial published in the September edition of the British Journal of Surgery, the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle has shown how the use of an inexpensive and proven technology (manufactured and marketed by Deltex Medical Group) suitable for use in all surgical specialities helped patients become fit for discharge three days sooner. This together with the hospital's own Enhanced Surgical Recovery Programme means that colorectal surgery patients at the Freeman Hospital recover twice as fast as NHS averages.