Delayed discharges - Cost over patient care?

With an overnight in hospital now costing more than a room at a five-star hotel, delayed discharges are draining the country’s ailing health service of money it can ill afford, according to Home and Community Care Ireland, which represents private home care organisations.

It claims that failure to discharge patients who no longer need acute care and are medically fit enough to be sent home cost a staggering €540,000 on the night of Aug 13. That’s what it cost to keep 685 patients in hospital beds instead of discharging them.

However, things are not always what they seem. On the night in question, nearly 90% of the patients were elderly and awaiting alternative care. Their families would not thank the HSE for turning them out. Arguably, while efficiency is vital, from a compassionate standpoint the money was well spent.