TABLE 4. Leading Causes of Hospitalization by Age As shown in Table 4, the major diagnostic categories of illness and injury varied substantially according to the age of the patients. Obstetrical care was the leading cause of hospitalization in the two age groups under 45, diseases of the digestive system ranked first in the 45-64 age group, and diseases of the circulatory system in the 65 and over age group. Diseases of the digestive, respiratory and genito-urinary systems were high ranking causes of hospitalization in all age categories. LENGTH OF STAY, CHARGE PER DAY, AND CHARGE PER ADMISSION The average number of days in hospital, charge per day and charge per admission by age and color is shown in Table 5. TABLE 5. Average Number Days in Hospital, Charge Per Day, and Charge Per Admission by Age and Color: North Carolina Hospital Discharge Study, 1959-60 With the exception of the 65 and over age group, the average length of stay is greater for the nonwhite than for the white patients. For both white and nonwhite, the average length of stay increases with age. This is shown graphically in Figure IV. It will also be observed from this graph that there is little variation in length of stay by bed capacity of the hospital. Figure IV. Average Days in Hospital by (a) Age and Color, by (b) Bed Capacity and Color: North Carolina Hospital Discharge Study, 1959-1960 The average charge per day is greater among whites than nonwhites at all ages. When examined by age, the charge per day is lowest in the 65 and over age group and highest in the 25-44 age group for both races. There is little difference in charge per day in the under 25 and 45-64 groups. As shown in Figure V, the average charge per day is slightly higher for whites in hospitals having 100 or more beds. SOURCE OF PAYMENT The percentage distribution of the total hospital bill by source of payment by age and color is shown in Table 6. The percentage of the total bill which was unpaid is also shown. A more detailed breakdown of source of payment by age group, color, patients, and patient days is shown in Appendix III. TABLE 6. Percentage Distribution of Hospital Bill by Source of Payment by Age and Color: North Carolina Hospital Discharge Study, 1959-60 |