Economic benefit of a 1-day reduction in hospital stay for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)

Abstract

Eliminating a day during the course of a CAP admission is potentially worth $2273-2373 in economic benefits (2009 dollars). As we strive for greater efficiency in healthcare delivery, changes in processes and/or improved diagnostics or treatments may potentially achieve a reduction in the length of stay. The cost of such changes or improvements must be weighed against the economic benefit of a shorter hospitalization.