Pattern, duration of stay, and outcomes of medical admissions: a report from teaching community hospital in Assir region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Population-based studies are the gold standard to understand the burden of different diseases, plan health care policy and resource allocation, and provide an accurate estimate of disease several disease indices including mortality. However, population-based studies are difficult to undertake in a resource-limited situation where no robust data bases and disease registries are available. Therefore, hospital-based cohorts may be used to inform about the community health.Objectives: We sought to study the pattern of disease causing admission, hospital stay, and outcomes of medical admissions to King Abdullah Hospital in Bisha in order to inform clinicians, public health professionals, and policymakers about the current status of diseases within the community in Bisha.Methods:This is a cross-sectional study including all adult patients aged above 18 years who were admitted to King Abdullah Hospital in Bisha, Assir region, to medical services including general internal medicine, general cardiology, nephrology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, and neurology during the study period between 1 June 2015 and 31 May 2016. Common causes of hospital admission, outcomes of hospitalization, and length of stay were estimated and the data were presented as frequency and percentage for categorical valve and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables.Results: Cardiovascular diseases including stroke are considered the leading cause of hospital admission in a teaching community hospital in Bisha, Assir region. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are prevalent comorbidities among hospitalized patients. Majority of admitted patients have improved and discharged home (83.3%). However, 6.7% were transferred to another facility, 4.1% have left against medical advice, and 5.9% died.Conclusion: Health-related data bases and disease registries are urgently needed to precisely estimate the burden of cardiovascular disease in Assir region in Saudi Arabia. Lifestyle changes, healthy diet, aggressive management of hypertension and diabetes within the community, and allocating necessary resources are urgently to combat the growing burden of cardiovascular disease.

Hypoglycemic Risk Factors Among Hospitalized Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah

“…Diabetes was found to increase the risk of hospital admission [8]. A recent study conducted in Saudi Arabia revealed that DM was one of the most common comorbid diseases in hospitalized patients with a percentage of 39.2% [9]. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommended starting treatment with insulin when the serum glucose level is persistently high, more than or equals to 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L) [10].…”

Disease patterns and clinical outcomes of medical admissions at a tertiary hospital in Northern Tanzania: A retrospective observational study

“…However, 6.7% were transferred to another health facility, 4.1% left against medical advice, and 5.9% died. 5 Our study shows that 70.3% went home, but 21.7% died. The mortality rate is different and higher in developing countries because of the lack of healthcare availability, as seen in Sudan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania, with rates of 4.7%, 12.6%, 16.0%, 17.1%, and 25.6%, respectively.…”

“…However, these studies are not available because of a lack of reliable data and expertise, especially in developing countries. 4 , 5 Population‐based studies in our setting will not detail the cause or diagnosis of these diseases. Diseases may determine the pattern of hospital admissions and summarize the health status and disease patterns in the community.…”

“…Population‐based studies help identify the burden of different diseases compared to hospital‐based studies. However, these studies are not available because of a lack of reliable data and expertise, especially in developing countries 4,5 . Population‐based studies in our setting will not detail the cause or diagnosis of these diseases.…”

Diseases Patterns Among Adult Hospitalized Patients: A Study Case of BPJS Claim Data in One Hospital in Jakarta

“…[1] The different result, probably due to the difference study time is relatively long with this study. Meanwhile more recent study by Al-Ghamdi reported similar finding that cardiovascular diseases were considered the leading cause of hospital admission in a teaching community hospital in Saudi Arabia [14].…”