Assessment of bed blocking lacks valid tools

doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7395.0/d

Assessment of bed blocking lacks valid tools

The evaluation of inappropriately delayed discharge is beset by poor measurement tools, poor evidence, and problems of lackof definition. Vetter (p 927) examined the evidence from systematicreviews and other studies and found that the current tools formeasuring bed blocking have poor validity and reproducibility,which increases when local availability of alternative care isignored. The author found no strong evidence to show that in caseslabelled as inappropriately delayed discharge the patients wouldhave had better outcomes if they had been discharged earlier.