Journal article
The magnitude, variation, and determinants of rural hospital resource utilization associated with hospitalizations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions
Journal of public health management and practice, Vol.15(3), pp.216-222
05/2009
DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0b013e3181a1180d
PMID: 19363401
Abstract
Using data from the 2002 Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, we examined the magnitude, variation, and determinants of rural hospital resource utilization associated with hospitalizations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs). An estimated $9.5 billion in charges incurred in rural hospitals nationwide in 2002 was found to be associated with hospitalizations due to ACSCs. Our findings suggest that the smaller a rural hospital, the greater the portion of its financial resources used to treat patients with ACSC. Regional variation in ACSC-related hospital charges is generally consistent with the geographic variation in the population's economic status and primary care physician supply-residents of the South region have the poorest access to primary healthcare. In summary, smaller rural communities spend more of their healthcare resources on avoidable hospital inpatient care than do larger rural communities, leaving smaller rural communities potentially fewer resources to spend on preventive and primary healthcare. Health intervention programs and health policies should be designed to increase access to and utilization of appropriate preventive and primary healthcare in rural areas, especially in small and remote communities.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The magnitude, variation, and determinants of rural hospital resource utilization associated with hospitalizations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions
- Creators
- Li-Wu Chen - Department of Health Services Research and Administration, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA. liwuchen@unmc.eduWanqing ZhangJunfeng SunKeith J Mueller
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of public health management and practice, Vol.15(3), pp.216-222
- DOI
- 10.1097/PHH.0b013e3181a1180d
- PMID
- 19363401
- ISSN
- 1078-4659
- eISSN
- 1550-5022
- Grant note
- 1U1C RH03718 / PHS HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/2009
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy; Public Policy Center (Archive)
- Record Identifier
- 9984214856602771
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