By: Jeffrey Maser  Apr. 02, 2018

Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas had the lowest average length of stay (LOS) for major small and large bowel procedures among all Arkansas hospitals at 4.84 days between 2013-2016, according to an analysis of Medicare inpatient colorectal discharges by Dexur. This metric refers to index hospital average LOS, which accounts for average LOS for the initial hospital stay and should not be confused with average LOS over a 30-day episode of care. Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas' rate was 1.8 days ahead of the 2nd ranked hospital, National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, which accounted for a 6.64 day average LOS for the index hospital stay. Northwest Medical Center - Springdale ranked 3rd at 6.8 days, followed by Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home at 6.86 days. These four hospitals were the only facilities in the state with a rate below 1 week for this metric.