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Utilization of hospital services by cardiovascular patients, Alberta, Canada
1Department of Health Services Administration & Community Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease hospital costs in Alberta rose from $84 million to $131 million between 1971 and 1986. Rural residents used more cardiovascular hospital resources per capita, increasing reliance on urban facilities.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Public Health
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases represent a significant public health burden globally.
- Understanding healthcare utilization and expenditure patterns is crucial for resource allocation.
- Historical data analysis provides insights into long-term trends in cardiovascular disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze cardiovascular patient hospital utilization in Alberta, Canada from 1971 to 1986.
- To determine associated hospital expenditures and per capita costs for cardiovascular disease treatment.
- To investigate geographical disparities in healthcare resource consumption and referral patterns.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hospital discharge records and United States Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) data.
- Calculated total hospital costs and per capita expenditures in constant 1984 Canadian dollars.
- Conducted a patient origin-destination analysis to assess rural-urban healthcare seeking behaviors.
Main Results:
- Total estimated hospital costs for cardiovascular patients increased from $84 million in 1971 to $131 million in 1986.
- Annual per capita spending on cardiovascular hospital services in Alberta averaged approximately $51 Canadian.
- Rural residents exhibited higher per capita resource utilization, with increasing dependence on urban centers for specialized care.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular disease treatment costs and hospital utilization showed a significant upward trend in Alberta during the study period.
- Healthcare access and referral patterns are influenced by geographical factors and evolving medical technologies.
- Findings highlight the need for strategic planning to address rural healthcare needs and optimize resource distribution for cardiovascular services.
Abstract:
Using hospital discharge records, and United States DRG (diagnosis related groups) data, we studied hospital utilization by cardiovascular patients, associated hospital expenditures, and the per capita cost of treating cardiovascular diseases in Alberta, Canada between 1971 and 1986. Expressed in constant 1984 Canadian dollars, the estimated total hospital cost increased from $84 million in 1971 to $131 million in 1986; during this period the Province of Alberta spent about $51 Canadian per resident each year for cardiovascular hospital services. It was noted that rural residents consumed a higher volume of resources per capita than their urban counterparts. A patient origin-destination analysis indicated an increasing dependence of rural patients on urban hospitals for secondary or tertiary care, underscoring the effects of medical technology on referral patterns.