Preventable hospitalizations from ambulatory care sensitive conditions in nursing homes: evidence from Switzerland

Ulrike Muench, Michael Simon, Raphaëlle-Ashley Guerbaai, Carlo Pietro, Andreas Zeller, Reto W. Kressig and Franziska Zúñiga ()
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Ulrike Muench: University of California San Francisco, School of Nursing
Michael Simon: University of Basel
Raphaëlle-Ashley Guerbaai: University of Basel
Carlo Pietro: Health and Social Care at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
Andreas Zeller: University of Basel
Reto W. Kressig: University of Basel
Franziska Zúñiga: University of Basel

International Journal of Public Health, 2019, vol. 64, issue 9, No 7, 1273-1281

Abstract: Abstract Objectives Reducing nursing home hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) has been identified as an opportunity to improve patient well-being and reduce costs. The aim of this study was to identify number of hospitalizations for ACSCs for nursing home residents in a Swiss national sample, examine demographic characteristics of nursing home hospitalizations due to ACSCs, and calculate hospital expenses from these hospitalizations. Methods Using merged hospital administrative data with payment data based on diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) for the year 2013, we descriptively examined nursing home residents who were 65 years of age or older and were admitted to an acute care hospital. Results Approximately 42% of all nursing home admissions were due to ACSCs. Payments to Swiss hospitals for ACSCs can be estimated at between 89 and 105 million Swiss francs in 2013. Conclusions A sizable share of hospitalizations for nursing home residents is for ACSCs, and the associated costs are substantial. Programs and policies designed to reduce these potentially avoidable hospitalizations from the nursing home setting could lead to an increased patient well-being and lower costs.

Keywords: Avoidable hospitalizations; Hospital costs; Nursing homes; Preventable hospitalizations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-019-01294-1

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