Magnitude and associated non-clinical factors of delayed discharge of patients from post-anesthesia care unit in a comprehensive specialized referral hospital in Ethiopia, 2022

BACKGROUND: Patients are kept in the post anesthesia care unit until their condition is stabilized before transfer to the clinical areas. Prolonged length of stay in the PACU leads to increased health care cost and patient dissatisfaction. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude and to identify the non-clinical factors that lead to delay discharge from the post anesthesia care unit. METHOD: This prospective observational study was conducted from April 1, 2022 to June 5, 2022. Patients were considered ready for discharge after they had achieved a satisfactory discharge score. The data obtained were presented as descriptive statistic and were analyzed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: A total of 307 patients admitted to in the post anesthesia care were included in this study with a response rate of 100%. Majority of patients, 188 (61.2%), had prolonged length of stay in the PACU because of non-clinical factors. The most common non-clinical factor for delayed discharge was unavailability of beds in the respective ward (n = 69, 22.5%) followed by lack of available hospital patient transport (n = 34, 11.1%). CONCLUSION: and recommendations: The proportion of delayed discharge of patients from the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) was significant. Non-clinical related delays contributed for a considerable extension of a patient's time in PACU. Delay discharge for non-medical reasons put patients at unnecessary risk for hospital-acquired infections and prolonged hospital stay and increased health care costs. Thus, understanding and addressing the causes of delayed discharge from PACU is essential.