Marked variability in hospitalization rates of children with gastroenteritis
By: T. To ... [et al.].
Contributors: To, T.; Young, W.; Feldman, W.; Maloney, S. L.; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Ontario.
Series: ICES working paper series -- no. 26
Publisher: Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Ontario
Published: 1994
Place of publication: Ontario
Language: eng
Number of pages: 22
Subjects: Gastroenteritis -- therapy; Hospitalization; Adolescent; Ambulatory Care; Child; Child, Preschool; Cost Savings; Health Care Costs; Hospital Bed Capacity; Hospitalization -- economics; Infant; Inpatients; Socioeconomic Factors; Humans; Ontario; United States
Description: ISSUE. (1) What is the estimated potential savings resulting from the shift of pediatric, gastroenteritis cases from inpatient to outpatient auspices where clinically indicated? BACKGROUND. (1) Timely and effective outpatient care can help to reduce the risk of hospitalization for gastroenteritis. (2) The epidemiological features of the 10,105 gastroenteritis cases identified in the 1991/92 Ontario administrative database were similar to those previously reported: higher admission rates for males as compared to females, sharp decline in admissions by age and seasonal peaks in admissions. (3) Within Ontario there was substantial variation between regions in admissions for gastroenteritis.  The overall provincial rate was 419/100,000 children.  The range was from a low of 78/100,000 children, to a high of 1,138/100,000. (4) The estimated total cost of providing inpatient care to these children was $11.7 million. CONCLUSION. (1) Approximately $5.5 million in costs could be released if all patients with a length of stay of 3 days or less could be treated in emergency rooms. (2) Approximately $3.8 million in institutional costs could be released if Ontario's admission rates were reduced to the rates calculated for British Columbia. RECOMMENDATIONS. (1) A study designed to determine if there are differences in the characteristics of physicians with high admission rates from those with low rates. (2) An examination of the need for admission criteria for common pediatric conditions. (3) A study designed to encourage the adoption of oral rehydration therapy guidelines.
Notes: May 1994.

Includes bibliographical references. (14 ref.)