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Correlates of Bacterial Pneumonia Hospitalizations in Elders, Texas Border

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Abstract

Background Immunization preventable bacterial pneumonia is an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) prevention quality indicator of health care. This study explored associations of individual and county correlates with bacterial pneumonia hospitalization rates for elders residing in 32 Texas counties bordering Mexico. Methods We estimated baseline rates from Texas Health Care Information Collection’s hospital discharge data for 1999–2001, and population counts from the 2000 U.S. Census. Results The rate among the total Texas border population was 500/10,000, three times the national rate. Elders 75+, males, and Latinos had the highest rates. An increase of 1 primary care physician per 1000 population is associated with a decrease in pneumonia-related hospitalization rates by 33%, while each 10% increase in Latinos is associated with a 0.1% rate increase. Discussion This baseline bacterial pneumonia hospitalization study demonstrates a systematic approach to estimate county rates, a process that could lead to improved outcomes through effective community interventions. Methodology demonstrates how publicly available hospital discharge data can be used by communities to better measure and improve quality of health care.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported in part by Grant numbers 1 R36 HS016381-01 (F. Lemus) and 2 R24 HS11618 (J. Freeman) from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and by Grant number P50 CA105631–02 (J. Goodwin) from the UTMB Center for Population Health and Health Disparities. Research findings were presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the United States-Mexico Border Health Association held in Monterrey, Mexico, May 1–4, 2006, and at the 61st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America held in National Harbor, Maryland, November 21–25, 2008. I acknowledge the following colleagues: Sarah Toombs Smith, PhD, editorial assistance; and Carlos Reyes-Ortiz, MD, PhD for steadfast encouragement throughout the course of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, Sealy Center on Aging, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555-1153, USA

    Frank C. Lemus

  2. Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555-1148, USA

    Alai Tan

  3. Department of Demography and Organizational Studies, Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research, Texas State Data Center, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249-0704, USA

    Karl Eschbach

  4. Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, Office of Biostatistics, Division of Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555-1148, USA

    Daniel H. Freeman Jr.

  5. Departments of Preventive Medicine & Community Health and Internal Medicine, Sealy Center on Aging, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555-0460, USA

    Jean L. Freeman

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  1. Frank C. Lemus
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Correspondence to Frank C. Lemus.

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Lemus, F.C., Tan, A., Eschbach, K. et al. Correlates of Bacterial Pneumonia Hospitalizations in Elders, Texas Border. J Immigrant Minority Health 12, 423–432 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-009-9241-z

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