Medical students presence has minimal impact on patient length of stay, study finds — 4 things to know

Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia found the presence of medical students in the emergency department adds less than five minutes to the average length of a patient’s stay. Researchers evaluated more than 1.3 million patient cases over a period of 15 years at three different hospitals.

Advertisement

JAMA published the study.

Here are four things to know:

1. The average total length of stay was 264.7 minutes.

2. The length of stay was 4.6 minutes longer when medical students were involved in assessing patients.

3. Researchers noted the added length of time is “likely clinically insignificant.”

4. “As students, we gradually transition from observing to aiding medical care, but sometimes worry that the additional time we spend with patients may slow care,” said Kimon L.H. Ioannides, a fourth year medical school student at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and lead author on the study. “This study provides some reassurance that our teachers are able to minimize delays in care for our patients during this transition.”

More articles on quality & infection control:
Optum’s HouseCalls program decreases hospitalizations: 4 observations
Harvard researchers develop new tracker for virus development: 6 things to know
CPR survival rates differ by state — 5 takeaways

At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Advertisement

Next Up in Uncategorized

  • As the ASC industry continues to grow alongside new waves of surgical innovation, patient preferences and shifts to value-based care,…

  • A Pleasant View, Utah-based physician has been indicted on charges of obtaining unapproved drugs from China and selling them to…

  • From payer obstacles to operational pressures, five ASC leaders discuss the biggest frictions they’re facing. Note: Responses were lightly edited.…

Advertisement

Comments are closed.