Steps to Take to Reduce Length of Hospital Stay in Patients With Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Identification of medical and nonmedical requirements for outpatient treatment and/or early hospital discharge have potential to decrease health care costs. Method: On admission and before discharge, physicians and nurses, patients, and their relatives were interviewed about requirements over five domains (medical, nursing, organizational, and patients’ and their relatives’ preferences) for outpatient management and/or early discharge. Results: From a total of 550 included patients, 136 (24.7%) potential outpatients and 265 (48.2%) potential patients for early discharge were identified. Specific medical and nursing factors and factors related to patients and relatives were identified as being important for initial outpatient treatment and/or early discharge. Conclusion: This survey shows important requirements from the perspective of different heath care workers, patients, and relatives, which could allow initial outpatient treatment and/or early discharge of a large proportion of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) patients.