China's hospitals see dropping average stay, higher efficiency

BEIJING -- China's average hospital stay in 2018 was 9.3 days, down by 42.6 percent compared to that in 1992, according to a report issued by the National Health Commission.

The average hospital stay has been dropping for five years in a row in tertiary hospitals, the top tier of China's hospital grades which has the largest number of beds and provides comprehensive medical services.

The drop in hospital stays shows that China's medical service efficiency kept increasing by developing new medical service models, said Guo Yanhong, an official with the commission.

The commission has been optimizing the service procedures in hospitals across the country and promoting the services of ambulatory surgery and early rehabilitation.

Guo said the amount, quality and capability of China's medical service have also been increasing in recent years.