If you sustain injuries from a car accident and get admitted to the hospital, you may want to know how long you will stay. Every single day spent there can increase the medical bill and the overall emotional impact of the crash.
The average hospital stay after a car accident will depend on many factors, but the major factor to look at is the extent of the injury.
Regardless of the length of your post-accident hospital stay, seeking medical care can help you build a case for your claim. Elrod Pope Law Firm’s car accident lawyers in Rock Hill, South Carolina is here to help you seek compensation for your injuries and the costs of your medical bills.
Average Hospital Stay Lengths
This metric is known as the length of stay (LOS) in the hospital setting. If it is calculated cumulatively for a certain group of patients, it is referred to as the average length of stay (ALOS).
Hospitals measure patients’ ALOS from the admission date to the discharge date for a single hospitalization episode. The ALOS figure usually reflects the efficiency of medical treatments in a hospital. A highly efficient hospital will have a shorter ALOS and charge patients lower admission fees.
There are more than 35.7 million hospital stays annually in the US. The mean length of stay per patient for these stays was 4.6 days.
Factors That Affect the Length of Hospitalization
Your length of stay in a hospital after an accident will depend on the type of injuries you sustained. For minor injuries such as bruises and bumps, the doctor may release you on the same day you visit the hospital. You will seek ongoing treatment for severe injuries at the facility for several days or weeks.
Besides injuries, certain environmental, social, and medical factors affect the length of stay. They include:
- Overall physical health, immune system condition, and underlying health conditions
- Age
- Complications resulting from the injury
- Hospitalization history, method of payment, and insurance coverage
- Efficiency and quality of hospital care, the hospital’s size, location, and staffing, and the physician’s specialty
- At-home care package after discharge
How the Length of Stay in a Hospital Affects Recovery
The amount of time needed for full recovery after a car accident will depend on the type of injury and quality of medical treatment. Your doctor may advise you to stay at the facility for continued monitoring and treatments. If you respond well to the treatment, it will not take long for you to be discharged.
Depending on the hospital, the inpatient services are aimed at patients’ recovery. However, this can only be achieved if the facility has the right equipment and doctors for your injuries.
Will a Long Hospital Stay Impact Your Overall Well-Being?
A longer stay at the hospital can help you avoid more serious problems. When you arrive at the facility, a healthcare provider will diagnose your condition and recommend the appropriate treatment.
On the downside, staying in the hospital for a long time can affect your mental health, especially if your interactions with people are limited. So, having family and friends check up on you occasionally is advised.
A longer stay may also delay the time you can return to your daily routine. As a result, you will have to take a break from work, school, or any other activity you did before seeking treatment.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney in South Carolina Today
Going to the hospital can help you recover from your injuries. However, sorting the hospital bills after a car accident can take a toll on your finances if you do not have enough insurance or the bills are high.
Consult with a car accident lawyer from Elrod Pope Law Firm for help filing a claim for your injuries. Our practice revolves around auto accidents and all types of personal injuries. We operate in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Lake Wylie, South Carolina.
FAQs About Hospital Visits After a Car Accident
Will I need to document my injuries during the hospital stay?
Documenting your injuries should be among the top reasons for seeking medical treatment. It can help add credibility to your claim when the insurance company questions the nature of your injuries.
What should I do and say when I get to the hospital?
After arriving at the hospital, share the details about what happened in the accident with the doctor or nurse. Ensure to give all the information, even if the injury is mild.
Do hospitals recommend longer stays?
Hospitals recommend different types of admissions since every patient is different. You may continue staying in the hospital for continued medical treatments like surgery or therapy. Non-medical reasons such as waiting for a caregiver, staff inefficiency, and equipment mismanagement may also force you to stay longer.
