Determinants of Small-Area Variation in Hospital Utilization

摘要: Small-area differences in hospital use were examined using discharge abstract data for the populations of seven small service areas Iowa that exhibited substantial variation admission rates during 1980. The results indicate a marked difference age composition patient with older patients being more common among residents high-use areas, higher age- and sex-adjusted per 1000 across many diagnostic categories, frequently average lengths stay lack conformity between patterns selected surgical procedures diagnoses, readmissions to same 12-month period areas. This set comprises one part study small-area also employed household surveys, physician other existing sets. findings illustrate potential limitations abstracts as base evaluating utilization differentials.