How is the average length of stay (ALOS) calculated?

The average length of stay (ALOS) is calculated by dividing the total number of patient days by the number of discharges. This method provides the average number of days that patients stay in a healthcare facility during a specified period.

In healthcare, total patient days represent the cumulative number of days all patients have spent in the hospital. Each patient contributes to the total patient days based on how long they are admitted, and this total is then divided by the number of discharges to find the average length that patients stay. This metric is essential for healthcare facilities as it gives insights into resource utilization, patient flow, and the efficiency of care delivery.

While other methods mentioned in the choices involve calculations related to healthcare metrics, they do not define the ALOS. Some of these could lead to misunderstandings about the measurement of patient stays and resource allocation within a healthcare facility.