Reducing the Average Length of Stay on Mechanical Ventilation - Essay Example

Reducing the Average Length of Stay on Mechanical Ventilation Introduction According to Chang , in this contemporary era, the average length ofstay on mechanical ventilation has highly increased amid the patients. In this regard, Chang (2013) claimed that every year, approximately 44,000 children usually die in the U.S. due to several life-threatening diseases, which eventually contribute in raising the average stay length particularly on mechanical ventilation at large. In this similar context, Mathauer & Wittenbecher (2012) noted that with the effect of increased resource mobilization as well as improved screening, the average length of stay on mechanical ventilation has certainly developed in this present day context. Thus, with this concern, the prime intent of this research paper is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the topic concerning the reduction of average stay length specifically on mechanical ventilation. Various significant aspects that include the importance of diminishing the average stay length on mechanical ventilation and the methods or the approaches to be taken into concern for lessening the above stated critical factor will be duly considered for discussion in this research paper. Importance of Reducing the Average Length of Stay on Mechanical Ventilation In order to highlight the importance of reducing the average length of stay on mechanical ventilation, it can be asserted that mechanical ventilation is regarded as that particular resource of a hospital, which has the potential of providing intensive care to the patients suffering from varied critical health disorders. These mainly include neuromuscular as well as genetic disorders and cancer among others. In this regard, it can be ascertained that if the critically affected patients stay high on a mechanical ventilation cabin for a longer time, then the risk of transforming germs and infections of the critical diseases will significantly rise amid the other patients. Thus, it can be affirmed in this regard that through reducing the length of stay on medical ventilation, the risks of transforming disease and mortality can be reduced by a certain level. At the same time, it can be also asserted that through reducing the stay length on mechanical ventilation, sedative costs can be reduced extensively. Apart from this, availability of ICU beds can be increased within the hospitals, which will ensure delivering equal treatment facility to the patients (Vashishth, 2010). Mechanisms to Reduce the Average Length of Stay on Mechanical Ventilation In order to reduce the length of stay on mechanical ventilation, the incorporation of the ‘Pediatric Health Information System’ (PHIS) database might prove to be quite effective and beneficial. PHIS database is a suitable tool through which it is possible to collect administrative and clinical data from the patients. In this regard, it can be asserted that through adopting this mechanism, it will be possible to analyse the characteristics of the patients in accordance with the critical diseases that they are suffering with. Moreover, the tool will also assist doctors to take adequate initiatives with the aim of preventing the diseases of the patients more accurately within a short time (Chang, 2013; Menachemi & Collum, 2011). In this regard, it can be asserted that the implication of electronic heath record (EHR) can also enhance the treatment procedures, which will certainly assist the patients to reduce the tendency of suffering diseases for a longer period. At the same time, it will also ensure the quality of medical treatment in the local markets of varied regions. In this context, it can be apparently observed that ‘The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health’ (HITECH) Act of 2009 has introduced a new law in the US with the aim of enhancing the use of EHRs during the medical practices. Moreover, HITECH Act of 2009 attempted in promoting the usage of EHRs in the healthcare industry of the US by a considerable degree (Menachemi & Collum, 2011). In order to highlight the importance of EHRs in the context of reducing the average length stay on mechanical ventilation, it can be affirmed that through the assistance of her, healthcare records of the patients can be kept secured and systematically. It is worth mentioning that the incorporation of EHRs will not only result in lessening the average stay length on mechanical ventilation by enhancing the quality of medical care, but also reduce the costs of medical treatment along with time (Menachemi & Collum, 2011). Findings and Outcomes In relation to the above context, it can be evidently asserted that through incorporating PHIS database and EHR approach, it will be possible to enhance the quality of the medical services provided to the patients in the US. It will be vital to mention in this regard that the above discussed approaches will significantly aid in ensuring raising the quality of the medical practices at large, resulting in offering effective treatment to the patients. Additionally, through incorporating PHIS database and EHR approach, it will be possible to reduce the average length of stay on mechanical ventilation of the patients by varied ways. These ways might comprise providing better medical treatment services to the patients suffering with respective critical diseases with and ensuring that the hospitals remain germ or infection free from such critical diseases. These might raise the level of treatment standards of the respective hospitals involved in offering quality as well as effective care to the patients suffering from varied critical diseases (Chang, 2013; Menachemi & Collum, 2011). Conclusion From the above analysis and discussion, it can be ascertained that it is quite possible to reduce the average length of stay on mechanical ventilation by effectively incorporating and executing varied significant approaches. In this regard, the approaches can be apparently noted as PHIS database and the execution of EHR approach. It is often argued that these approaches are often regarded as the suitable mechanisms based on which it can be possible to reduce the average stay length specifically on mechanical ventilation by enhancing varied medical practices. At the same time, the above discussed approaches will also ensure in diminishing the costs and time associated with various medical practices. Thus, to conclude, it can be asserted that lessening the average stay length particularly on mechanical ventilation will certainly aid in developing the treatment procedures for the patients, which would result in reducing the mortality rate at large. References Chang, W. (2013). Hospital-based palliative care reduces length of stay, charges, invasive procedures, ICU deaths. Retrieved from http://www.thehospitalist.org/details/article/5295091/HospitalBased_Palliative_Care_Reduces_Length_of_Stay_Charges_Invasive_Procedure.html Mathauer, I., & Wittenbecher, F. (2012). Hospital payment systems based on diagnosis-related groups: experiences in low- and middle-income countries. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/91/10/12-115931/en/ Menachemi, N., & Collum, T. H., (2012). Benefits and drawbacks of electronic health record systems. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 47-55. Vashishth, I. (2010). Intensive care unit utilization. Retrieved from https://www.sctimst.ac.in/Conferences/resources/FOCUS_2010/Dr.%20Indu%20-%20INTENSIVE%20CARE%20UNIT%20UTILIZATION.pdf Read More