Work

Evaluating the effectiveness of a patient flow centre on intensive care unit patient discharges and patient outcomes: A retrospective quantitative cohort study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in centralised patient flow centres (PFCs) designed to optimise hospital patient flow and improve resource efficiency. However, the specific impact of such centres on intensive care unit (ICU) patient flow and patient outcomes is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ICU discharge efficiency and patient outcomes before and after implementation of a PFC. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary ICU in Australia, including patients admitted to the ICU between January 1st, 2018, and December 31st, 2023. Data were extracted from the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database. Primary outcomes were ICU discharge delay, after-hours discharge, and readmission to the ICU within 48 h of discharge. Secondary outcomes included ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS) and hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 8 383 patients were included. Post implementation, a higher proportion of patients experienced ICU discharge delays (16.1%, n = 656, p = 0.05) and after-hours discharges (15.6%, n = 636, p < 0.001), without a significant change in the ICU readmission rate. After adjusting for confounders, patients in the post-PFC group had a higher risk for after-hours discharge than those in the pre-PFC group (odds ratio: 1.62, confidence interval: 1.41-1.87, p < 0.001). The implementation of the PFC was associated with lower hospital mortality (odds ratio: 0.72, confidence interval: 0.55-0.94, p < 0.05) and shorter hospital LOS (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the proportion of ICU discharge delays and after-hours discharges was observed following the PFC implementation, without an increase in ICU readmissions. Centralised coordination and improved visibility of patient flow through the hospital system could have contributed to reduced hospital LOS and mortality. Future studies must explore factors influencing the effectiveness of the PFC on ICU patient flow and evaluate the observed benefits by incorporating ICU access block measures.

Source: Australian Critical Care

DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2025.101497

Authors: Xia Jin, Shailesh Bihari, Steven Galluccio, Ubbo F. Wiersema, Kathrine De Lyster, Anne M. Adams, Frances Lin

Institutions: Flinders University, Flinders Medical Centre, Caring Futures Institute

Language: English

Topic: Healthcare Operations and Scheduling Optimization

Subfield: Emergency Medical Services

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,900