Waiting Time Of Patient Discharge Process in Imam Reza Hospital Of Mashhad University Of Medical Science In 2014

Discharge Process is the most important stage affecting in patient’s satisfaction and it is one of the major challenges in hospital management. This study aim to determine the average waiting time of patient discharge process and identify effecting factors of this process in Emam Reza Hospital in Mashhad، in the 2014.

In this cross-sectional survey waiting time of patients discharged from all clinical sections of the Imam Reza hospital in Mashhad were studied. Number of 455 patients were selected and discharge time of them at six different stages (In section، distance between section to the medical record، in medical records، distance between medical records to Accounting، cost calculation and cost payment in accounting) by using stop-watch method were measured. data has been analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics at 0. 05 significant level by SPSS16.

The results showed that the waiting time was 504. 26± 362. 96 Minute. It was statistically differences between different wards of the hospital in which ENT section has the lowest and Burns section has the highest discharge time.

we concluded that the maximum time related to station 1 (Within the medical sector) and station 6 (cost payment) Therefore suggested to perform corrected solution in this stations such as change visit hours and make schedule for sending medical record to the accounting department and helped to reduce patient waiting time.