4 hospital utilisation rates

[1] Age-sex specific separation rates, Cardiology NSW c 1987

Estimates of future hospital service demand are most often based on utilisation statistics. Utilsation is met demand; it is neither need nor 'true' demand.

Met demand is the resultant of agreement between doctor, patient and hospital. Some met demand may be unnecessary and it may include in-patient admissions which in other places, or by other doctors, would be 'day-only'. Unmet demand, includes patients on waiting lists at the end of the relevant period, some of which also may be unnecessary or misdirected.

Some met demand can be counted as met need to which must be added unmet need. Unmet need may be unrecognised, or result from inequity and or insufficient resources.

[1] presents age-sex specific met-demand rates for cardiology admissions / separations in NSW (c 1987). Differences between age groups and between the sexes are marked. They also differ between regions and over time.

[2] presents the age specific all-disorders met demand rates for hospital admissions/separations NSW 1987 and 2010. Increases in the rates for those aged 60 and older are pronounced.

[2] Age sex spefic separation rates All diagnoses NSW 1987-2001