Leaving the Hospital on Time: Hospital Bed Utilization and Reasons for Discharge Delay in the Netherlands.

Approximately one in five admitted patients occupying hospital beds did not meet the criteria for acute in-hospital stay or care at the time of the survey. Most delays were related to issues outside the immediate control of the hospital. Improvement programs working with stakeholders focusing on the transfer from hospital to outside areas of care need to be further developed and may offer potential for the greatest gain. The Day of Care Survey can be a tool to periodically monitor changes and improvements in patient flow.