Prevalence of Inappropriate Hospital Admission and Hospitalization Days in EMRO Region countries: A Systematic and...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Health Services Research
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Inappropriate healthcare service utilization leads to inefficient resource allocation and increased costs.
• Estimating the extent of inappropriate admissions and hospitalizations is crucial for healthcare system optimization.
• The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) faces challenges in healthcare resource management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the rates of inappropriate hospital admission and hospitalization in countries within the EMRO region.
• To compare the inappropriateness rates in EMRO countries with other global regions.
• To identify factors influencing inappropriate hospital utilization.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
• Data were systematically searched from April to June 2024 across four major databases (Web of Science, ProQuest, Scopus, PubMed).
• The search encompassed studies from January 1, 1980, to February 30, 2024, using specific keywords related to hospital admission and utilization appropriateness.

Main Results:

• Nineteen studies were included from 14,430 initially identified articles.
• The overall inappropriate admission rate in EMRO countries was 14.6% (95% CI: 10.45-20.54).
• Inappropriate hospitalization rate in EMRO countries was 15.63% (CI: 9.61-25.41), with higher rates observed before 2010.

Conclusions:

• Inappropriate admission and hospitalization rates in EMRO countries are lower compared to some European nations.
• Implementing targeted policies for patient admission, physician education, and optimizing referral systems can enhance hospital efficiency.
• Strategic utilization of home care services and referral systems can improve overall healthcare resource management.