{
  "abstract": "Background We have had a succession of cases involving significant delays in patient discharges from the inpatient unit. We identified several factors contributing to these delays and felt that as a specialist unit with a limited number of beds serving the county, this was a problem that would benefit from a quality improvement approach.Aim To reduce the length of stay of patients on the inpatient unit where discharge to an alternative place of care is appropriate. Target: 10% reduction in average length of stay (LOS) over six months from January 2025.Method We formed a team of multidisciplinary members involved in the discharge process. We met monthly from November 2024 to review change ideas and implementation. We audited data throughout 2024, identifying patients with a LOS >2 weeks, when discharge planning was involved. We then compared these with 2025 data, Jan-March, and plan to review again in June to assess the impact of the changes at six months.Multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle changes included:IPOS outcome measure – adding a narrative discharge question.Discharge template on patient record – improving documentation and flow.Communication with referrers – ensure realistic expectations and review information leaflets.Discharge funding processes – discuss options for improved efficiency.Results A repeat audit of the first three months of 2025 indicated a reduction average LOS from the initial audit of three days; from 23 to 20. There were fewer outliers in the data, with an average reduction in the maximum length of stay of 15 days.Conclusion We feel that the quality improvement approach as well as enabling changes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the discharge process, has improved team working and communication. The three – monthly data indicate improvements in the LOS figures, and we are optimistic that as we continue to develop and implement change, the six – monthly data will demonstrate further improvement.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "St Margaret’s Hospice, Taunton, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Anna Saunders"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "St Margaret’s Hospice, Taunton, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Kate Shorthose"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P-147 Improving discharges from a hospice inpatient unit using a quality improvement team approach",
  "uid": "b9b7ddfb-7b77-57cb-aff3-255339616966"
}