The Impact of a Novel Transfer Process on Patient Bed Days and Length of Stay: A Five-Year Comparative Study at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Mankato Quaternary and Tertiary Care Centers
Recommended Citation
Khedr A, Hassan E, Asim R, Khan MK, Duseja N, Attallah N, Mueller J, Newman J, Loomis E, Bartelt J, Khan SA, and Bartlett B. The Impact of a Novel Transfer Process on Patient Bed Days and Length of Stay: A Five-Year Comparative Study at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Mankato Quaternary and Tertiary Care Centers. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2025;22(6).
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-31-2025
Publication Title
Int J Environ Res Public Health
Abstract
Introduction: This study evaluated the impact of parallel-level patient transfers on bed utilization efficiency within the Mayo Clinic Health System in Southern Minnesota, focusing on optimizing resources across tertiary and critical access hospitals.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 179,066 Emergency Department visits (2018-2022) was conducted, with ~2% involving parallel-level transfers for observation or admission. Machine learning was utilized to identify patients suitable for parallel transfers based on demographics, comorbidities, and clinical factors. A Random Forest model with an AUROC of 0.87 guided transfer decisions. Saved patient days were calculated as the difference between the actual LOS and the benchmark LOS based on Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs). Generalized estimating equations analyzed length of stay (LOS) differences, adjusted for confounders, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (v.26).
Results: The mean patient age was 56 years (SD = 17.2), with 51.4% being female. Saved patient days increased from ~600 to 5200 days over the study period. Transferred patients had a 5.7% longer unadjusted LOS compared to non-transferred patients (95% CI: 2.9-8.6%, p < 0.001). After adjustment for demographics and comorbidities, the LOS difference was not significant (adjusted mean difference: 0.4%, 95% CI: -1.7-2.5%, p = 0.51).
Conclusions: Parallel-level transfers increased saved patient days, reflecting enhanced resource utilization. However, the adjusted LOS differences were not significant, highlighting the need for robust transfer protocols and controlled studies to confirm these findings.
Medical Subject Headings
Humans; Patient Transfer; Minnesota; Middle Aged; Length of Stay; Female; Male; Retrospective Studies; Tertiary Care Centers; Aged; Adult; Emergency Service, Hospital
PubMed ID
40566300
Volume
22
Issue
6
