Hospital Stay Duration for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH): Realistic Estimates—Schedule by Treatment Method and Severity, From 2 Weeks for Mild Cases to 10 Months for Severe Cases

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) requires emergency surgery, but the subsequent length of hospitalization varies greatly depending on the treatment method and severity. Notably, as of 2025, the shift to Coil Embolization (which is less invasive) as the dominant treatment has led to a general trend of shorter hospital stays compared to the past.

SAH Hospital Stay Duration: Realistic Estimates in Japan (2025)

Treatment/Severity	Acute Hospital (Surgery ∼ ICU)	Transfer to Recovery/Rehab Hospital	Total Estimated Hospital Stay	Current Trend (2025)
Mild (Grade 1–2, Coiling, Small bleed)	10–21 days	None ∼1 month	2–6 Weeks	Steadily getting shorter.
Moderate (Grade 3, Coiling, Clear consciousness)	2–4 Weeks	1–3 Months	2–4 Months	The most common pattern.
Severe (Grade 4–5, Impaired consciousness, Complications)	4–10 Weeks	3–6 Months	4–10 Months	Longer ICU stay.
Clipping Surgery(Craniotomy)	3–6 Weeks	1–3 Months	3–5 Months	1–2 weeks longer than Coiling.
Complications(Vasospasm/Hydrocephalus)	+2–8 WeeksExtension	Transfer Delay ∼6+ Months	VP Shunt adds +1 Month
Elderly (Age 80+)	2–6 Weeks	No transfer; discharged to nursing home or home	1–3 Months	Increasing cases where transfer to rehab hospitals is denied.

Main Reasons for Shorter Hospital Stays in 2025

Change in Practice	Impact on Hospital Stay Reduction
Coil Embolization is over 80% (2 weeks faster recovery than craniotomy)	−1–3 Weeks
Flow Diverters enable catheter treatment for giant aneurysms	−2 Weeks
10% Increase in Recovery/Rehab Hospital Beds	Acute hospitals can discharge patients faster.
Home Rehab + Daycare available up to 5 times/week	Home discharge possible from the 3rd month.
Medical Fee System “Hospital Revenue Drops Sharply after 150 Days”	Leads to mandatory discharge planning.

Example Discharge Schedule (Moderate Case, Coiling)

Day(s)	Location / Status
Day 0	Onset → Ambulance → CT Diagnosis
Day 1–3	Coil Embolization (Clipping adds +3–5 days)
Day 4–14	ICU → HCU → General Ward (Fasudil infusion for 14 days)
Day 15–30	Rehab starts + Hydrocephalus check
Around Day 30	Transfer to Recovery/Rehab Hospital (or discharge home)
Total	Min. 3 Weeks; Average 2–3 Months