A STUDY ON DELAY IN INSURANCE PATIENTS DISCHARGE AT A MULTISPECIALITY HOSPITAL IN KERALA

Abstract

This article discusses the issue of discharge delays in hospitals in Kerala, which can have significant impacts on patients, healthcare providers, and the healthcare system as a whole. The administrative challenges faced by hospitals, including obtaining insurance authorization, completing documentation, coordinating with different departments, and arranging post-hospital care, can be time-consuming and complex. This article identifies the causes of delay in discharge for patients who are funded through insurance and identifies timely allied services to reduce discharge delays. The article presents data collected through a census method for a period of three months, analyzing the time taken for each process involved in the discharge process, including send for billing, pharmacy clearance, bill clearance, bill closing, and discharge. The article finds that the standard Turn Around Time for the discharge process is 5 hours, and 59.4% of the observations exceed the standard TAT. The article recommends streamlining the administrative processes involved in discharge to reduce discharge delays and improve patient care.