When the diagnostic categories are ranked according to number of patients, obstetrical care was the most frequent cause of admission with 5,278 (18.9%) of the total patients admitted for this cause. Diseases of the digestive system and diseases of the respiratory system ranked second and third, respectively. This arrangement was essentially the same as that found by Lerner in the 1956 Indiana study of a Blue Cross population, except the second and third causes were reversed.

1

The average number of days in the hospital per admission was 6.6 days with considerable variation among the diagnostic categories. The average length of stay was some what shorter than that reported by Lerner (7.3 days). Among the whites, diseases of the circulatory system led, followed by cancer and diseases of the bones. Cancer was responsible for the longest hospital stay, followed by diseases of the circulatory system, and diseases of the nervous system among the nonwhites. At the other extreme, the shortest duration was among persons admitted for obstetrical care, followed by diseases of the respiratory system, and diseases of the digestive system. This was true for both white and nonwhite patients.

The hospital charges averaged $23.46 per day which included both the room rate and the various ancillary services performed in the hospital. This charge compares favorably with the $22.91 reported by Lerner. The average charge per day varied according to diagnosis and color. The highest average daily charge among whites was for diseases of the genito-urinary system, followed by cancer, and obstetrical care. Among the nonwhites, cancer recorded the highest daily charge with obstetrical care next, followed by diseases of the digestive system. The lowest cost per day among both whites and nonwhites was for admissions due to diseases of early infancy ($11.60 for whites and $10.63 for nonwhites).

The average charge per admission amounted to $153.96, with cancer being the most expensive of the diagnostic categories for both races, averaging $249.00 for whites and $257.26 for nonwhites. Diseases of the circulatory system was the next highest in total charge per admission for both whites and nonwhites. Admission for obstetrical care was the least expensive followed by diseases of the respiratory system.

1. Lemer - Hospital Use and Charges by Diagnostic Category, a report on the Indiana study of a Blue Cross population in 1956, Health Information Foundation, Research Series 13.

TABLE 4. Leading Causes of Hospitalization by Age
Showing Number of Patients: North Carolina Hospital
Discharge Study, 1959-60.

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