The scope of complex case discharge delays in New York state
Hospitals across the country have reported an alarming rise in patients who become caught in limbo in emergency departments and inpatient units for weeks, months and even years after they are medically ready for discharge. These delays most often occur due to a lack of care options, the inability to pay for post-discharge care and/or administrative gridlock. Complex case discharge delays are devastating for patients, exacerbate bed shortages and result in enormous, unnecessary costs.
HANYS’ 2021 white paper, The complex case discharge delay problem, provided an overview of this long-standing challenge and offered suggested actions. To learn more about the scope of complex case discharge delays in New York, HANYS conducted a three-month data collection pilot in 2022 with hospitals statewide. The scope of complex case discharge delays in New York state includes a summary of the pilot findings and a framework to focus solutions.
