Background: The development of systems that optimize quality of care, reduce costs, and enhance safety is vital to patient care. The VA healthcare system utilizes 27 quality metrics which allow for institutions to assess their performance in these areas, referred to as Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL). SAIL data includes performance reports regarding [...]

Background: Inpatient hospital care cost $971.8 billion in 2014 and costs are projected to rise by 5.8% per year. Inpatient operational efficiency and waste reduction have become the focus of cost-reduction measures. A recent study found that nearly one in four patients in a pediatric hospital experienced a medically unnecessary prolonged length of stay with [...]

Background: Delays in care may lead to increased length of stay and cost. Identifying and quantifying the reasons for these delays could help target interventions and reduce unnecessary hospital days. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study at a large tertiary academic medical center, from October 16, 2016 to November 20, 2016. The study participants [...]