[Explanatory factors of length of stay at the diagnosis-related group 129: common pneumonia and pleurisy, aged over 69 and/or associated co-morbidities].

BACKGROUND

Utilization of diagnosis related groups (DRGs) for hospital comparison, based on length of stay (LOS).

OBJECTIVES

Inside a DRG (Pneumonia and pleurisy > 69 and/or associated comorbidities), to point out the explicative factors of LOS and the variables which could be recorded for a better description of these patients.

SETTING

Pneumologic unit of Limoges' teaching hospital.

METHODS

From 01-01-94 to 31-12-94, the DRG 129 was studied through the medical unit summary, the performance status at entrance, the social complexity, the characteristics of pneumonia (symptoms, temperature, arterial pressure...), the severity by American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria, the procedures (chest X-ray, biology, fibroscopy...), the antibiotic treatments (intravenous and oral). Statistical tests associated univariate analysis, linear and logistic regressions.

RESULTS

LOS was 15.53 d +/- 8.57 (m +/- SD). The mathematical model explains 69% of the variance of LOS logarithm. The logistic regression found 5 variables with a significant odds-ratio (OR) for an increased LOS: a high ATS score, repeated laboratory tests, a complex social situation, an increase length of antibiotic treatment (intravenous and oral).

CONCLUSION

A better description of LOS, inside a DRG, needs supplementary variables. For pneumonia admitted in Limoges' hospital, the severity of the disease, the number of laboratory tests, the antibiotic treatment, the social complexity are the more significant indicators.