Regionalization and hospital utilization: Alberta 1991/2-1996/7

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Policy Analysis
• Hospital Administration

Background:

• Alberta Health initiated a major healthcare restructuring in 1994.
• This involved significant funding cuts to acute hospital care.
• Seventeen Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) were established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in acute hospital utilization by Alberta residents and within RHAs from 1991/2 to 1996/7.
• To examine trends in acute hospital service provision by RHAs and the Alberta Cancer Board.
• To track patient transfer patterns between RHAs.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive analysis of healthcare utilization data.
• Trend analysis of hospital separations, length of stay, and hospital days.
• Calculation of RHA self-sufficiency and import indices.

Main Results:

• Significant decreases in acute hospital utilization rates (separation, length of stay, hospital days) for Alberta residents.
• Reduced hospital days across all 17 RHAs.
• Increased care intensity and decreased patient transfers into most RHAs.

Conclusions:

• Alberta experienced substantial reductions in acute hospital service use during healthcare restructuring.
• Further research is required to understand shifts to alternative care sectors.
• The impact of these service reductions on patient outcomes needs investigation.