Emergency department length of stay independently predicts excess inpatient length of stay

Objective: To examine the association between emergency department length of stay (EDLOS) and inpatient length of stay (IPLOS). Design: Retrospective review of presentations and admissions data. Setting: Three metropolitan hospitals in Melbourne, 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001. Main outcome measures: Mean IPLOS for four categories of EDLOS (≤ 4 hours, 4–8 hours, 8–12 hours, >12 hours); excess IPLOS, defined as IPLOS exceeding state average length of stay; odds ratios for excess IPLOS adjusted for age, sex and time of presentation. Results: 17 954 admissions were included. Mean IPLOS for the four categories of EDLOS were ≤ 4 hours, 3.73 days; 4–8 hours, 5.65 days; 8–12 hours, 6.60 days; > 12 hours, 7.20 days (P