title: [Analysis of the appropriateness of hospitalizations in Monastir, Tunisia].
abstract: We aimed to measure the extent of inappropriate hospital admissions and to identify factors associated with inappropriate hospital use. A descriptive study was carried out on a randomized sample of 411 hospitalizations in 3 regional hospitals. The appropriateness of admissions was assessed using the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP). We found 21% (95% CI: 17%-25%) of the admissions were avoidable according to the AEP. Inappropriate admissions were associated with the hospital (P = 0.005), patient age (P = 0.003), length of stay and diagnosis (P < 0.001). The most frequent reasons for appropriate admissions were parenteral therapy, an acute or progressive sensory motor circulatory or respiratory condition sufficient to incapacitate the patient and severe electrolyte or blood gas abnormality. Our study highlights the need to improve hospital management and to develop alternatives to hospitalization.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine préventive et d'épidémiologie, C.H.U. Fattouma Bourguiba, Monastir (Tunisie). mondher.letaief@fmm.rnu.tn
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Letaief
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ben Salem
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hergli
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Riahi
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Soltani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018579:Patient Selection; D012040:Regional Health Planning; D013997:Time Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014600:Utilization Review