2006 State Report > Our Health > Inpatient Hospitalizations
Our Health: Inpatient Hospitalizations
The term discharge is roughly synonymous with hospitalization. A patient becomes a discharge once he or she officially leaves the health care facility.
South Carolina Inpatient Hospital Discharges: 2003
| Age Group | Discharges | Total Charges | Average Charge | Average Length of Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 to 64 Years | 134,927 | $3,153,200,271 | $19,049 | 4.3 days |
| 65 to 74 Years | 76,970 | $1,946,985,699 | $20,808 | 4.9 days |
| 75 Years and Older | 102,340 | $2,287,891,554 | $18,589 | 5.6 days |
Source: South Carolina Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics. Inpatient Hospital Discharge Database Query.
The most prevalent diagnoses for hospitalized patients age 65 and older in 2003 included heart disease, respiratory disease, digestive ailments and injuries.
Top Five Reasons for Inpatient Hospitalizations for Patients Aged 65 and Over: 2003
| Diagnosis Related Group Name | Discharges | Percent of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 173,776 | 100.0 |
| Heart Failure and Shock | 10,149 | 5.8 |
| Simple Pneumonia and Pleurisy Age >17 with CC | 7,099 | 4.1 |
| Major Joint and Limb Reattachment Procedures of Lower Extremity | 6,157 | 3.5 |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | 5,325 | 3.1 |
| Rehabilitation | 4,983 | 2.9 |
Source: South Carolina Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics. Top 25 Reasons for Inpatient Hospitalization.
Older individuals tend to have longer lengths of stay when hospitalized. In South Carolina in 2003, the average inpatient hospital stay was 4.3 days among those 45 to 64 years old. Among 65 to 74 year olds, the average length of stay was slightly longer: 4.9 days. Patients 75 years and older had the longest stays, averaging 5.6 days.
Average Length of Stay for Inpatient Hospitalizations by Age Group: 2003
Source: South Carolina Budget and Control Board, Office of Research and Statistics. Inpatient Hospital Discharge Database Query.