Which of the following best describes Average Length of Stay (ALOS) in healthcare?

Average Length of Stay (ALOS) is a key performance indicator in healthcare that measures the average duration of a patient's stay in a hospital or healthcare facility. It is calculated by taking the total number of patient days—essentially, every day a patient stays in the facility—and dividing that figure by the total number of admissions during a specific period.

This method captures the typical length of time that patients remain hospitalized, providing insight into operational efficiency, resource utilization, and potential areas for improvement in patient management. ALOS is particularly important for understanding the flow of patients through healthcare facilities, which can impact staffing, bed availability, and overall financial performance.

The other options do not accurately define ALOS. Total discharges divided by patient days does not reflect the average stay duration; rather, it calculates a different metric. Total patient revenue divided by total hospital costs is more related to profitability than length of stay. Lastly, total days in facility divided by the number of patients treated does not directly correspond to the standard definition of ALOS and may lead to misinterpretation of patient management metrics.