The length of stay of in-patient stroke discharges in Irish acute hospitals

Abstract

Stroke imposes an important economic burden worldwide and acute in-patient care accounts for a large proportion of costs in the first year following stroke. Length of stay (LOS) is regarded as a key determinant of in-patient costs and the primary focus of this study is to examine associations between LOS of acute stroke discharges and a range of individual and system level factors. Specific focus is placed on the association between stroke units and LOS. Results indicate associations between a number of policy-relevant variables and LOS including among others, MRSA infection, availability of brain imaging and discharge destination. We find some evidence that acute stroke units are associated with lower LOS however these findings should be interpreted carefully.