Article

The overall aim was to investigate the feasibility and utility of linking a cerebral palsy (CP) register to an administrative data set for health services
research purposes. We sought to compare CP hospital admissions to general
childhood population admissions, and identify factors associated with type and
frequency of admissions in a CP cohort. METHOD: The CP register for Victoria,
Australia was linked to the state's hospital admissions database. Data pertaining
to the admissions of a CP cohort (n=1748) that took place between 2007 and 2014
were extracted. Population data were also obtained. RESULTS: Overall, 80% of the
CP cohort (n=1401) had at least admission between 2007 and 2014, accounting for
11 012 admissions or 1.5% of all admissions in their age group. Compared to
general population admissions, CP admissions were more costly and more likely to
be elective (66% vs 57%; p<0.001), medical (71% vs 57%; p<0.001), and to take
place in metropolitan hospitals (92% vs 78%; p<0.001). Increased CP severity and
complexity were associated with having more admissions and a higher proportion of
admissions attributable to respiratory illness. INTERPRETATION: By linking with
administrative data sets, CP registers may be useful for health services research
and inform health service delivery.
CI - (c) 2016 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS