The impact of early and comprehensive social work services on length of stay.

The efficient use of health care resources requires that patients remain in in-patient facilities only as long as is necessary. High-quality patient care requires that patients are physically, socially and psychologically prepared for leaving the hospital and that plans for their post-hospital care are adequate. The authors discuss a study of Orthopaedic patients which demonstrates that early and comprehensive social work intervention can reduce the length of time patients stay in the hospital. They also describe the effect of the study on expanding the role of social work within the acute care, general hospital.