In today's health care climate, everyone wants to control costs while maintaining quality. Medical advances have made it common for open-heart patients to go home within four or five days.
Many moms deliver their babies and are released in a day or two.
Back surgery patients are sent home in a week. While some people develop complications when they go home too soon, others heal more quickly in familiar surroundings. Either way, just because you're out of the hospital doesn't mean you don't need assistance. Patients sent home early assume more responsibility for their recovery. Alcohol and drug treatment centers are affected by this trend.