title: Health reform and technological change: shifting hospitalization patterns for four procedures in Manitoba.
abstract: This study used Manitoba data from 1991 to 1996 to assess the effects of health reforms and technological advances on hospitalization patterns, patient mortality, and readmission rates. Cholecystectomy and hernia repair served as indicators of response to both new technology and health reforms, while appendectomy and hysterectomy helped gauge the impact of health reforms alone. Neither the introduction of new technology (i.e. laparoscopy) nor the health reform initiatives (i.e. shorter hospital stays) adversely affected surgical volumes, postsurgical mortality, or postsurgical readmissions.
authors.affiliation: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation, Department of Community Health Sciences, St. Boniface General Hospital Research Centre.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Soodeen
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peterson
mesh_terms: D018166:Health Care Reform; D006760:Hospitalization; D007902:Length of Stay; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008350:Manitoba; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*