Marie Kondo Partners with Society of Hospital Medicine to Reduce Hospital Length of Stay.....

Philadelphia, PA - Marie Kondo, the influential Japanese organizing consultant, author, and host of two popular Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo, has partnered with the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) to help prevent delays in hospital discharges.

A physician explaining to a patient with improved kidney function and the ability to tolerate oral antibiotics that an inner voice told her that rounds truly begin after putting her patient list in order

"Unnecessary days in the hospital are associated with numerous potential complications," SHM President Jerome Sly, MD explained. "From infections to falls, as well as increased cost and the negative impact on both patient and staff experience, this is an issue that needs to be addressed and I can't think of anyone better suited than Marie Kondo, who is just delightful."

Delays in hospital discharges are often related to poor organization. According to Kondo, this typically involves a disorganized throughput that results in discharge delays from decision to doorway. "Decision-making, patient care, and discharge planning can all be decluttered, and the faster we move towards seeing the purging of unnecessary patients as a necessity rather than just a trend, the faster more doctors will learn to make meaningful choices and to find gratitude in everyday practice."

Kondo believes that the goal of every doctor is to work in a more streamlined and organized environment. She says that by tidying up hospital patient lists, staff can transform their lives and more readily achieve their goals. "With more clarity on the unit, there can be more peace, mindfulness, and the opportunity to live in the present rather than the past."

Kondo has released a list of 5 ways to reduce hospital length of stay:

1. Commit yourself to discharging patients as soon as they meet criteria
2. Imagine your ideal patient list
3. Finish discharging patients first
4. Discharge patients by need, not by convenience
5. Ask yourself if keeping a patient another night sparks joy