Characteristics of unplanned hospitalisations among cancer patients in Singapore.
10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2021212
- Author:
Qingyuan ZHUANG
1
;
Joanna S E CHAN
;
Lionel K Y SEE
;
Jianbang CHIANG
;
Shariff R SUHAIMI
;
Tallie W L CHUA
;
Anantharaman VENKATARAMAN
Author Information
1. Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, National Cancer Centre, Singapore.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Emergency Service, Hospital;
Hospitalization;
Humans;
Length of Stay;
Neoplasms/therapy*;
Patient Admission;
Retrospective Studies;
Singapore/epidemiology*
- From:Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
2021;50(12):882-891
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION:Cancer is a pervasive global problem with significant healthcare utilisation and cost. Emergency departments (EDs) see large numbers of patients with oncologic emergencies and act as "gate-keepers" to subsequent hospital admissions. A proportion of such hospital admissions are rapidly discharged within 2 days and may be potentially avoidable.
METHODS:Over a 6-month period, we conducted a retrospective audit of active cancer patients presenting to the ED with subsequent admission to the Department of Medical Oncology. Our aims were to identify independent factors associated with a length of stay ≤2 days; and characterise the clinical and resource needs of these short admissions.
RESULTS:Among all medical oncology admissions, 24.4% were discharged within 2 days. Compared to longer stayers, patients with short admissions were significantly younger (
CONCLUSION:Short admissions have low resource needs and may be managed in the ED. This may help save valuable inpatient bed-days and reduce overall healthcare costs.
