Length of hospitalization of patients with transient ischemic attacks

Objective. To investigate factors that influence length of stay (LOS) in patients hospitalized for transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). This may help to reduce unnecessary days of hospitalization. Design. Retrospective study. Setting. A large, non-academic general hospital. Patients. All patients hospitalized for TIAs during the years 1996-1998 were retrospectively studied. We analyzed the relationship between demographic, clinical and management features and LOS. Results. We studied 157 patients. Median LOS was 8 days (range, 1 to 21 days). Statistical analysis showed that female sex, being hospitalized in 1996, hospitalization from Wednesday through Saturday, and second-level cardiological, neuroradiological and miscellaneous investigations significantly increased LOS. Conclusions. The LOS of patients with TIAs may be reduced through measures that accelerate the diagnostic work-up and by scheduling the admission to the first days of the week, when this is possibile.