Saunders M G
Can Med Assoc J. 1971 Aug 21;105(4):371-5.
The relationship between length of stay of patients in a large general hospital and bed usage has been analyzed. Long-stay patients use beds disproportionately, and even week-end admission and discharge patterns can affect availability of beds. Transfer of long-stay patients to alternate care facilities of lower cost can have marked effects on efficient bed usage.It is argued from the analyses that since the form and type of disease causing admission are the prime factors in determining length of stay, to reduce the cost of health care the highest priority must be given, as well as to prevention, to the devising of new cures and improvements in therapy. Improving diagnostic and prognostic techniques, making available alternate care facilities and education of the public in the care of the sick should also reduce costs.
对一家大型综合医院患者的住院时长与床位使用情况之间的关系进行了分析。长期住院患者对床位的使用不成比例，甚至周末的入院和出院模式也会影响床位的可用性。将长期住院患者转移到成本较低的替代护理机构对提高床位使用效率会产生显著影响。分析认为，由于导致入院的疾病形式和类型是决定住院时长的主要因素，为降低医疗保健成本，除了预防之外，还必须将最高优先级给予新疗法的研发和治疗的改进。改进诊断和预后技术、提供替代护理机构以及对公众进行疾病护理教育也应能降低成本。
