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Trends and Variations in Neonatal Length of In-hospital Stay in Canada

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Abstract

Purpose: To analyze spatio-temporal variations of neonatal length of in-hospital stay in Canada.

Method: The length of in-hospital stay of 1,469,761 newborns in Canadian hospitals from April 1, 1984 to March 31, 1995 recorded by the Canadian Institute for Health Information was analyzed.

Results: Neonatal length of in-hospital stay decreased from an average of 5.0 days in 1984 to 2.9 days in 1994. In 1994, the average neonatal length of in-hospital stay in Alberta was 2.5 days, which was 0.2 to 1.5 days shorter than other provinces. The spatio-temporal variations in neonatal length of in-hospital stay could not be explained by corresponding variations in birthweight and other neonatal disorders.

Conclusions: Neonatal length of in-hospital stay has been substantially reduced in Canada in recent years but there remain important interprovincial variations. These variations are unlikely to be the results of changes or differences in patient-specific factors; policy played an important role.

Résumé

Objectif: Analyser les variations spatiotemporelles de la durée d’hospitalisation des nouveau-nés au Canada.

Méthode: On a analysé la durée des séjours hospitaliers de 1 469 761 nouveau-nés dans des établissements de soins canadiens entre le 1er avril 1984 et le 31 mars 1995 enregistrés par l’Institut canadien d’information sur la santé.

Résultats: La durée des séjours hospitaliers des nouveau-nés est passée d’une moyenne de 5 jours en 1984 à 2,9 jours en 1994. En 1994, en Alberta, le séjour moyen d’un nouveau-né était de 2,5 jours, soit entre 0,2 et 1,5 jour de moins que dans les autres provinces. Les variations spatio-temporelles des hospitalisations des nouveau-nés n’ont pu être expliquées par les variations correspondantes en termes de poids à la naissance et d’autres troubles néonatals.

Conclusions: Ces dernières années, la durée d’hospitalisation néonatale a sensiblement diminué dans l’ensemble du Canada mais il demeure d’importantes variations entre les provinces. Il est peu probable que ces variations soient dues à des changements ou à des différences au niveau des facteurs propres aux patients; les politiques appliquées ont joué un rôle important.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Bureau of Reproductive and Child Health, Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, Health Canada, LCDC Building #6, Tunney’s Pasture A.L. 0601E2, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0L2, Canada

    Shi Wu Wen, Shiliang Liu & Dawn Fowler

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  1. Shi Wu Wen
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  2. Shiliang Liu
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  3. Dawn Fowler
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Wen, S.W., Liu, S. & Fowler, D. Trends and Variations in Neonatal Length of In-hospital Stay in Canada. Can J Public Health 89, 115–119 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404402

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