Jane Bell1, Raghu Lingam2, Claire E Wakefield3,4, Joanna E Fardell3,4, Justin Zeltzer1, Nan Hu2, Sue Woolfenden2,5, Emily Callander6, Glenn M Marshall3,4, Natasha Nassar1. 1. Child Population and Translational Health Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 2. Population Child Health Research Group, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 3. Behavioural Sciences Unit, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 4. Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 5. Department of Community Child Health, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 6. Centre for Applied Health Economics, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
AIM: To determine population-based prevalence, hospital use and costs for children admitted to hospital with chronic conditions. METHODS: We used hospital admissions data for children aged <16 years, 2002-2013 in New South Wales, Australia. RESULTS: Of all admissions, 35% (n = 692 514) included a diagnosis of a chronic condition. In 2013, prevalence was 25.1 per 1000 children. Children with greater socio-economic disadvantage or living in regional and remote areas had lower prevalence, but a higher proportion of emergency admissions. Prevalence rates were highest for respiratory and neurological conditions (9.4, 7.4 per 1000, respectively). Mental health conditions were most common in older children. Admissions involving chronic conditions had longer length of stay (3.0 vs. 1.6 days), consumed more bed-days (50% of total) and involved 43% of total hospital costs. CONCLUSION: Differences in prevalence and use of hospital services suggest inequities in access and need for more appropriate and equitable models of care.
AIM: To determine population-based prevalence, hospital use and costs for children admitted to hospital with chronic conditions. METHODS: We used hospital admissions data for children aged <16 years, 2002-2013 in New South Wales, Australia. RESULTS: Of all admissions, 35% (n = 692 514) included a diagnosis of a chronic condition. In 2013, prevalence was 25.1 per 1000 children. Children with greater socio-economic disadvantage or living in regional and remote areas had lower prevalence, but a higher proportion of emergency admissions. Prevalence rates were highest for respiratory and neurological conditions (9.4, 7.4 per 1000, respectively). Mental health conditions were most common in older children. Admissions involving chronic conditions had longer length of stay (3.0 vs. 1.6 days), consumed more bed-days (50% of total) and involved 43% of total hospital costs. CONCLUSION: Differences in prevalence and use of hospital services suggest inequities in access and need for more appropriate and equitable models of care.