[Shorter stays, greater pressure? Insights into the acceleration of inpatient care].

Abstract

In a context of economic pressure on hospitals, reducing the average length of stay has become essential in internal medicine. 37,218 hospitalizations at the Fribourg Hospital (2019-2024) were analyzed retrospectively using three exploratory non-validated indicators: daytime blood sampling, CT-scans performed within six hours, and admissions after 4:00 pm. All showed a significant increase, reflecting an acceleration of the clinical decision-making and care process. This evolution raises questions about organizational consequences, workload, and the meaning of the medical profession.