Length of hospital stay is important for several reasons:
Healthcare Costs: Longer stays increase hospital expenses and burden healthcare systems. Monitoring LOS helps in identifying inefficiencies and controlling costs. Patient Outcomes: Prolonged hospital stays can be associated with higher risks of hospital-acquired infections and other complications. Conversely, too-short stays may lead to readmissions. Resource Allocation: Effective monitoring of LOS assists in better allocation of hospital resources, such as beds and staff, ensuring optimal care for all patients. Healthcare Quality: LOS is often used as a quality indicator in assessing hospital performance and patient care standards.