The cost of unnecessary hospital days in 8 numbers

Kaufman Hall reported in a February 2024 analysis associated lower length of stay as one of with top financial performance because patients are able to move through the hospital more efficiently and incur lower unnecessary costs. In the most recent “National Hospital Flash Report” for April 2024, Kaufman Hall reported average length of stay for the month dropped 5% since 2021 but has been relatively flat year over year.

“We also have learned over the past several decades that an intense focus on improving length of stay has always been a winner,” wrote Kenneth Kaufman, managing director and chair of Kaufman Hall, in a May 8 post. “Hospitals that put in place the structures, processes and technologies; hospitals that have true executive commitment to this issue–these hospitals have a significant advantage when it comes to financial performance.”