Evaluation of determinant factors of length of stay in internal medicine: Systematic review

Abstract

The analysis of the determinant factors of the length of hospitalization in internal medicine allows us to understand variables that influence the length of stay of patients. Aspects such as the severity of the clinical condition, the efficiency of treatment protocols, the organization of health services, and the management of hospital resources play a fundamental role in defining this time. Understanding these factors allows optimizing bed management, reducing prolonged hospitalizations, and improving the quality of hospital care. This study aimed to identify and analyze the main factors that influence the length of stay of patients in medical clinics. Based on this, the systematic review methodology was adopted, according to the guidelines of the PRISMA protocol. Data collection involved research in academic databases such as Medline, Scielo, and Lilacs, focusing on publications from 2019 to 2024. Studies were selected based on strict inclusion and quality criteria, resulting in 4 articles that met the analysis criteria. Based on the analysis of the results, it was concluded that the severity of the disease, comorbidities, age and pre-hospital care are crucial factors that influence the length of stay of patients in medical clinics. The study revealed that effective pre-hospital care and proper management of hospital resources are essential to optimize length of stay and improve the quality of care. Managerial interventions and efficient communication between teams can help reduce the length of hospitalization. However, variation in practices and resources between institutions may limit the applicability of the results.