Question

In October, Peace & Prosperity Hospital reported 735 discharge days for adults and children and 103 discharge days for newborns. During the month, 149 adults and children and 31 newborns were discharged.

a) Calculate (round to one decimal place) the average length of stay (ALOS) for adults and children for the month of October.

b) Calculate (round to one decimal place) the average length of stay (ALOS) for newborns for the month of October.

c) Would you expect more variance in length of stay for the adult and children population or the newborn population. Explain why.

Answer 1

1.The formula for calculating the average length of stay is by adding the total length of stay for each discharged resident in the month and dividing by the number of discharged residents in a month.ie

a total length of stay for adults and children discharged=735

no of discharged adults and children residents=149

735/149=4.93

ie 5 days.

b Total length of stay for discharged newborns=103

No of discharged newborns=31

103/31=3.3

ie 3 days.

c The average length of stay is usually calculated for health planning purposes.I expect more variance inlength of stay for newborns.Being less immune they are more prone to nosocomial infections which further lengthens their stay.