Health Policy Manag.  2018 Mar;28(1):48-52. 10.4332/KJHPA.2018.28.1.48.

Utilization of Hospitals Located Outside Patients' Residential Areas among Those with Acute Cerebral Infarction

• Lee SY
• Kim SJ
• Park KY
• Kim JM
• Kim HJ
• Lee C
• Shin E

• KMID: 2410248
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2018.28.1.48

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The current study evaluated the hospital utilization and characteristics of patients who received health care services for acute cerebral infarction outside their own residential area.
METHODS
Using the 2014 national patient survey data, information on 2,982 patients diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction through emergency department were retrieved for the analyses. Multiple logistic regression was performed to investigate the characteristics associated with using hospitals outside residential area among patients diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction.
RESULTS
Fifteen point nine percent of patients admitted for acute cerebral infarction utilized hospitals outside their residential area. Patients residing in a province were 7.7 times more likely to utilize hospitals located outside their residential areas compared to those living in Seoul metropolitan city. Patients living in Gangwon and Jeolla were 0.26 times and 0.48 times more likely to go to hospitals in different geographical areas. Also, patients within the age group of 80 years and over were 0.65 times less likely to be admitted to hospitals outside their residential area compared to those in their 40s-50s.
CONCLUSION
The use of hospitals outside patient's residential area is shown to be substantial, given that the acute cerebral infarction requires immediate recognition and treatment. The findings on the geographical differences in the hospital utilization suggest further investigation.

Keyword

Acute cerebral infarction; Equity; Emergent service delivery system

MeSH Terms

Cerebral Infarction*
Delivery of Health Care
Emergency Service, Hospital
Gangwon-do
Humans
Logistic Models
Seoul