Trends in Avoidable Hospitalization Rates in British Columbia
Author Information
Author(s): Cloutier-Fisher Denise, Penning Margaret J, Zheng Chi, Druyts Eric-Bené F
Primary Institution: University of Victoria
Hypothesis
What has happened to avoidable hospitalization rates, relative to non-avoidable hospitalization rates and total hospitalization rates, over time and during a period of health care restructuring and primary care reform initiatives in British Columbia?
Conclusion
Access to effective primary care in rural communities remains problematic in BC, as rural areas did not make any gains in avoidable hospitalization rates relative to urban areas under recent health sector restructuring initiatives.
Supporting Evidence
- Non-avoidable hospitalizations account for around 95% of total hospitalizations.
- AHRs declined from 10.2 per 1000 population in 1990 to 7.8 per 1000 in 2000.
- Rural areas consistently had higher rates of avoidable hospitalizations compared to urban areas.
- Joinpoint regression results showed significantly decreasing trends in AHRs overall.
Takeaway
The study looked at how many people were hospitalized for conditions that could have been treated without going to the hospital. It found that rural areas had more of these avoidable hospitalizations than urban areas.
Methodology
The study used linked administrative health data from British Columbia for individuals aged 50 and over, analyzing trends in avoidable hospitalization rates using joinpoint regression analyses and t-tests.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the reliance on administrative data, which may not capture all relevant factors influencing hospitalization rates.
Limitations
The study is limited by the relatively few years of post-restructuring data and the difficulty in establishing a causal link between regionalization and declining hospitalizations.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on adults aged 50 and over living in British Columbia.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.000
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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