Characteristics of patients admitted to an emergency treatment unit of a private sector hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies have highlighted that the private sector contributes a major share in outpatient healthcare and a small proportion in in-patient care in Sri Lanka. There is little or no information on private health sector emergency care. OBJECTIVES: To determine the socio-economic characteristics of patients admitted to an emergency treatment unit (ETU) in a private hospital in Colombo. METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out on patients admitted to the ETU of a private hospital in Colombo from October 16th to December 15th 2015. Data were abstracted from medical records, verbal interviews, and the computerized data base maintained by the hospital. RESULTS: 2395 patients (1426 men; 59.2%) were admitted during the study period. The majority of patients were 61 to 70 years (30.4%). 80.3% were employed. 61.6% of patients had an insurance policy of which, 41.5% were private insurance policies. The monthly income ranged between Rs.15, 000 and Rs.150, 000 (mean Rs.43, 700±19,020). The commonest admissions were due to diseases of the digestive system (27.4%). Persons with an educational level of <GCE/Advanced Level were more likely to possess insurance cover (22% state and 79% private policies). Persons older than 60 years were less likely to have insurance cover (37% state and 27% private policies). CONCLUSIONS: Persons with varying economic backgrounds seek emergency health care in private hospitals. A large percentage of patients seeking emergency care in private hospitals have to bear out-of-pocket expenditure. The older the person, less likely that s/he has health insurance cover.