Factors Contributing to Prolonged Hospital Stays in Pediatric Psychiatric Patients

A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics explored the factors associated with prolonged length of stay (LOS) and delayed discharges among children referred to pediatric psychiatry services.

This study reviewed medical records over five years to analyze demographic, clinical, and systemic factors in patients with LOS > 30 days and delayed discharges. The study gathered clinician insights through semi-structured interviews, with thematic analysis applied to identify key barriers to discharge.

Among the patients studied, 107 met the criteria for LOS. Delays were most often due to systemic obstacles, including limited inpatient psychiatric capacity and insufficient community support, along with patient-related comorbidities, particularly eating disorders and neurodevelopmental conditions.

Clinician interviews identified additional challenges like resource limitations and difficulties in discharge planning. Prolonged psychiatric hospitalization in medical wards was associated with increased strain on resources, delayed treatment, and safety concerns.

The study highlights that better interagency coordination, increased inpatient psychiatric resources, and streamlined discharge processes are essential to shorten hospital stays and improve care for children with mental health needs.

Reference:

Bond L, Palavarapu R, Gordon A, Oketah N, Moore K, Barrett E, McNicholas F. Prolonged Length of Hospital Stay and Delayed Discharges Among Patients Referred to Child Psychiatry Liaison Services: A Five-Year Retrospective Analysis. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2025 Jun 24:114700.

https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(25)00241-0/abstract