[Hospitalization in Tuscany after the pandemic: temporary changes or structural trends?]

Area of Science:

• Healthcare analytics
• Public health trends
• Hospital administration

Context:

• Analysis of ordinary acute hospital admissions in Tuscany spanning a decade (2014-2023).
• Examination of trends across pre-pandemic, during-pandemic, and post-pandemic periods.
• Inclusion of data stratified by Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) type and urgency of admission.

Purpose:

• To analyze the evolving trends of ordinary acute hospital admissions in Tuscany.
• To compare admission patterns across different periods, including the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify potential shifts in healthcare demand and service utilization.

Summary:

• Hospital discharge records from Tuscany (2014-2023) were analyzed by DRG type and urgency.
• Results indicate that by 2023, scheduled surgeries surpassed 2019 volumes.
• However, both medical and urgent admissions in 2023 remained below expected levels compared to 2019.

Impact:

• Findings suggest a possible structural decrease in demand for medical and urgent hospital services.
• Highlights the differential recovery rates between elective procedures and acute care needs post-pandemic.
• Provides insights for healthcare planning and resource allocation in response to changing patient demand.