Length of Stay in Hospital Following Occupational Injury

Background: Length of stay in hospital (LOS) is regarded as a useful indicator of morbidity and an important determinant of medical care cost. LOS has been shown to have implications for post injury functionality, return to work, sickness absence and some psychosocial health outcomes such as quality of life. However, not much is known about LOS following occupational injury. The present study examined LOS and its predictors in a population of Swedish workers injured at work, and admitted for hospital care between 2007 and 2012. Methods: The study is based on data from the Swedish Working Environment Agency and hospital records of injured workers in the county of Gävleborg, Sweden. Specifically those admitted and discharged alive during the period under review. Results: A total of 1608 cases were identified, 34.4% were from the manufacturing sector, 32.2% had injuries of the upper extremities, mean LOS was 2.78 days. Individual level independent predictors of LOS were employment and injury location. Factors such as referrals, admitting ward and diagnose related groups (DGRs) were hospital level predictors of LOS. Injured workers admitted to the orthopedic ward and those referred from other clinics had approximately four fold likelihood of LOS greater than 3days. Discussion: The findings show individual and hospital level factors were identified as predictors of LOS in hospital following an occupational injury. The likely implications of these findings are discussed.