The Effect of Length of Stay and Discharge Disposition on Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Scores in Orthopaedic Patients.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The study assesses whether Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores were influenced by hospital length of stay (LOS) and discharge disposition. METHODS: HCAHPS scores from 5,682 orthopaedic patients were collected over a 4-year period. Statistical analyses were run to identify associations between Top-Box scores for each HCAHPS domain and LOS or discharge disposition (home versus rehabilitation facility). RESULTS: Decreased LOS was associated with increased HCAHPS Top-Box scores for every Top-Box domain except for Discharge composite (P ≤ 0.001 to 0.011). Discharge to home was associated with increased HCAHPS scores for four Top-Box domains (P ≤ 0.001 to 0.009). DISCUSSION: Shorter LOS and discharge to home after orthopaedic surgery are associated with better HCAHPS scores. Earlier discharge leads to an improved patient-reported experience and can increase reimbursements. Expedient, appropriate discharge of hospitalized orthopaedic patients should be a treatment goal after orthopaedic surgery.