Sammanfattning
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the appropriateness of hospitalized patients’ level of care as assessed by their treating physicians. The study was conducted as a qualitative study, based on a questionnaire. The study suggests that physicians generally believe that patients who occupy in-hospital beds are cared for at the appropriate level of care. It is worth to note that a relatively large fraction of patients have had their medical needs attended to, but remain hospitalized while waiting for municipal action. Successful downsizing of in-hospital bed-capacity assumes that either a segment of patients who are inappropriately hospitalized exists and could be identified, or that viable alternatives to in-hospital care exist and are available. The results of the present study argue against the first statement. However, we have identified a segment of patients who experience an unnecessarily long in-patient length of stay due to waiting times for municipal action and other post-discharge follow-up measures. Alternatives to in-hospital care which deserve further attention are supporting services in the outpatient setting.
Originalspråk | engelska |
---|---|
Sidor (från-till) | 219-224 |
Antal sidor | 6 |
Tidskrift | International Journal of Healthcare Management |
Volym | 9 |
Nummer | 4 |
DOI | |
Status | Published - 2016 okt. 1 |
Ämnesklassifikation (UKÄ)
- Hälso- och sjukvårdsorganisation, hälsopolitik och hälsoekonomi