The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is working to streamline its discharge processes after an internal audit revealed the Iowa City-based system achieves its target discharge time in only 10-15 percent of cases, reports The Gazette.
The hospital's average discharge time is 2:06 p.m. — about three hours later than its goal of 11 a.m., the audit revealed.
Auditors identified transportation-related barriers, discharge order entry errors and a lack of provider availability as contributing factors to these delays.
In response, leaders at UI Hospital and Clinics are considering numerous initiatives to improve discharge processes, including increasing staffing levels and creating a "discharge lounge" for patients waiting for a ride home.
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