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Hospital discharges early in the day might improve hospital patient flow and lower congestion in emergency departments (EDs) and intensive care units. Based on earlier small, single-center studies, many hospital leaders have encouraged hospital discharges early in the day (i.e., “discharge before noon” [DCBN] initiatives) to improve patient flow and other outcomes (J Hosp Med 2014; 9:210). However, more recent studies suggest that DCBN might not be helpful and could be harmful to patients and hospital flow (NEJM JW Gen Med Jul 1 2021 and J Hosp Med 2021; 16:333; NEJM JW Hosp Med Apr 2017 and J Hosp Med 2016; 11:859).
As part of a review series called “Things We Do for No Reason” (TWDFNR), authors examined published research on DCBN and concl…