Quality and Outcomes Reports - Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Center
Average Length of Stay
Why we measure it - We realize the importance of discharging children from the hospital as soon as it is safe to do so. The average time a child is in the hospital depends on many factors including the seriousness of the illness or injury.
What this means - Children's Hospital of Wisconsin has a slightly longer average length of stay in the hospital for inflammatory bowel disease but a much shorter length of stay for liver disorders compared to Pediatric Hospital Information System (PHIS) peers while keeping survival rates high.
About the data - This data reflects the average number of days a child stays in the hospital depending on the diagnosis category. Visits with extremely long and short lengths of stays in both Children's Hospital's and PHIS's inflammatory bowel disease data have been removed to standardize the data set. PHIS hospitals represent other leading free-standing pediatric hospitals.
Related dimensions of care:
What we're doing to provide the best care:
- We work with the best physicians. Many of our gastroenterology specialists are listed in the 2009-2010 Best Doctors in America® database. The 40,000 U.S. physicians who make the list represent the top 5 percent of the nation's practicing board-certified physicians.
- We have a highly specialized outpatient surgery area staffed by nurses and other pediatric experts trained in the care of our patients. They keep the unit running smoothly, anticipate parents' questions and provide education to parents on what to look for and how to take care of their child at home.
- Key members of our inflammatory bowel disease team, including pediatric nurse clinicians, dietitians, psychologists and social workers, build an individualized and comprehensive treatment plan to optimize care.
- Families traveling from long distances are encouraged to use our Family Accommodations Program to make travel arrangements and coordinate appointments. Children's Hospital has partnered with non-profit organizations like Ronald McDonald House and Kathy's House to offer comfortable, "home away from home" accommodations. Local hotel chains on our referral list also offer discounts for patient families.
Patients and families:
- Be an advocate for your child. Participate in daily bedside clinical discussions, and provide any information about your child that may be helpful to staff.
- Follow medical instructions fully and carefully before and after surgery.
- Ask questions if you don't understand the plan of care or if you are not sure how to care for your child at home.
- Attend all follow-up appointments.
Referring physicians:
- Referring physicians can access our specialists for consultation or transport 24 hours a day by calling our physician referral line at (800) 266-0366.
- As appointments are scheduled, the Gastroenterology Center will contact you to arrange transfer of any pertinent patient documentation, including test results and growth charts.
- Please contact Deb Wallner, Gastroenterology nurse manager or Pamela Fraser, Gastroenterology program director with any questions or concerns about the GI Service. They can be reached at (414) 266-2971.
- Health care providers from outside of our southeastern Wisconsin service area are encouraged to use our web-based
e-Consult service. This service is available for non-urgent patient cases only and gives providers access to our specialists to review patient cases, obtain medical advice or second opinions, and receive care recommendations for rare symptoms and illnesses.
e-Consult is not to be used by the general public, parents/guardians or families. - Care guidelines for medical professionals
- Educational materials
- Pocket Directory
If you have questions about this information, email us or call (414) 266-6556.