[Impact of short-stay units on the quality of medical care in Spain]

Abstract

Objective: Short-stay units (SSUs) have been developed as an alternative to conventional hospitalisation. The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of short-stay units on the quality of medical care in Spain.

Material and methods: A systematic review was performed by retrieving studies that analysed the results of SSUs in Spain, in terms of clinical effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction among patients, using an electronic database search (Pubmed/Medline and Spanish Medical Index) and a review of selected references. The data collected included, mortality, length of stay and re-admission rates, as well as other variables.

Results: Twenty-seven articles were found, with a great heterogeneity in both study design and type of SSU analysed. After analysing results, it was observed that SSUs in Spain provided effective clinical care. Low-quality evidence was also found supporting the hypothesis that SSUs are able to reduce overall length of stay in the whole hospital or department where they were created. There are not enough data to support any other advantages or benefits of SSUs, when compared with other hospitalisation units.

Conclusions: SSUs may be able to effectively improve clinical care in selected patients, and may help to shorten overall length of stay. Further research is needed in order to define their exact role and to establish their optimal model.

Keywords: España; Observation unit; Review; Revisión; Short stay unit; Spain; Unidad de corta estancia; Unidad de observación.