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Hospital use by children in the United States and Canada
1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, Md.
Insights
US children have lower hospital discharge rates compared to other countries. This study examines health status and healthcare system factors in the US and Canada to understand these differences in pediatric hospitalization.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Comparative Health Services Research
- Public Health
Background:
- Hospital discharge rates for children under 15 are notably lower in the United States compared to many other nations.
- Understanding variations in pediatric hospitalization is crucial for healthcare policy and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reasons behind the comparatively low hospital discharge rate of children in the United States.
- To compare pediatric hospital utilization between the United States and Canada.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of hospital discharge rates by age, sex, diagnosis, and surgical procedure.
- Examination of pediatric morbidity and mortality rates in the US and Canada.
- Investigation of healthcare system characteristics, including ambulatory care substitution and access to hospital services.
Main Results:
- Discharge rates were compared across various demographic and clinical factors.
- Morbidity and mortality data were analyzed to assess relative child health.
- Healthcare system features, such as outpatient care prevalence and access barriers, were explored.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies potential factors contributing to lower US pediatric discharge rates.
- Findings suggest a need to examine healthcare access and service delivery models for children in the US.
Abstract:
The hospital discharge rate of children under 15 years of age is lower in the United States than in many other countries. This comparison of children's hospital use in the United States and Canada explores possible reasons for the relatively low discharge rate of U.S. children. Discharge rates are compared by age, sex, diagnosis, and surgical procedure. Morbidity and mortality rates are examined for indications that U.S. children are in better health than Canadian children and thus are less likely to need hospitalization. Characteristics of the health services systems in the two countries are investigated for evidence that ambulatory care is substituted for inpatient care in the treatment of U.S. children or that U.S. children have greater problems obtaining access to hospital care than Canadian children.