Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic variations in hospital length of stay: A state-based analysis.

TitleRacial/ethnic and socioeconomic variations in hospital length of stay: A state-based analysis.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsGhosh AK, Geisler BP, Ibrahim S
JournalMedicine (Baltimore)
Volume100
Issue20
Paginatione25976
Date Published2021 May 21
ISSN1536-5964
KeywordsAdult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Black or African American, Female, Healthcare Disparities, Hispanic or Latino, Humans, Length of Stay, Male, Middle Aged, New York, Retrospective Studies, Socioeconomic Factors, White People
Abstract

Disparities by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) exist in rehospitalization rates and inpatient mortality rates. Few studies have examined how length of stay (LOS, a measure of hospital efficiency/quality) differs by race/ethnicity and SES.This study's objective was to determine whether differences in risk-adjusted LOS exist by race/ethnicity and SESUsing a retrospective cohort of 1,432,683 medical and surgical discharges, we compared risk-adjusted LOS, in days, by race/ ethnicity and SES (median household income by patient ZIP code in quartiles), using generalized linear models controlling for demographic and clinical factors, and differences between hospitals and between diagnoses.White patients were on average older than both Black and Hispanic patients, had more chronic conditions, and had a higher inpatient mortality risk. In adjusted analyses, Black patients had a significantly longer LOS than White patients (0.25-day difference when discharged to home and 0.23-day difference when discharged to non-home destinations, both P<.001); there was no difference between Hispanic and White patients. Wealthier patients had a shorter LOS than poorer patients (0.16-day difference when discharged to home and 0.06-day difference when discharged to nonhome destinations, both P<.001). These differences by race/ethnicity reversed for Medicaid patients.Disparities in LOS exist based on a patient's race/ethnicity and SES. Black and poorer patients, but not Hispanic patients, have longer LOS compared to White and wealthier patients. In aggregate, these differences may be related to trust and implicit bias and have implications for use of LOS as a quality metric. Future research should examine the drivers of these disparities.

DOI10.1097/MD.0000000000025976
Alternate JournalMedicine (Baltimore)
PubMed ID34011086
PubMed Central IDPMC8137046
Grant ListK24 AR055259 / AR / NIAMS NIH HHS / United States
KL2-TR-002385 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
K24AR055259 / / National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (US) /
KL2 TR002385 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
01ZZ1603[A-D] and 01ZZ1804[A-I] / / Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt /