Table 1. Patterns of Preventable Hospitalizations by Types of Conditions

Conditiona Changes Over Time (1994-2000) Regional Variation Variation by Priority Population
Region with Highest Rates Region with Lowest Rates Children (0-4 years) Elderly (>65 years) Women Low-Income Residents (<$25,000) Rural Residents
Diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes without complications Decreased South West n/a + No difference + +
Short-term diabetes complications Increased South West n/a - No difference + No difference
Long-term diabetes complications No change Northeast West n/a + No difference + No difference
Diabetes-related lower extremity amputations No change Northeast West n/a + - + No difference
Circulatory Diseases
Congestive heart failure No change South West n/a + - + No difference
Hypertension Increased South West n/a + + + +
Angina without a procedure Decreased Northeast West n/a + - + +
Respiratory Diseases
Adult asthma Decreased Northeast West n/a + + + No difference
Pediatric asthma No change Northeast West + n/a - + No difference
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Increased South West n/a + No difference + +
Acute Conditions
Bacterial pneumonia Increased South West n/a + - + +
Dehydration No change South West n/a + - + +
Urinary tract infection No change South West n/a + - + +
Perforated appendix DecreasedMidwest Northeast n/a + - + No difference
Pediatric gastroenteritis Decreased South West + n/a No difference + +
Birth Outcomes
Low-weight births No change South West n/a n/a No difference + No difference

Reference Groups:

Notes:
"+" indicates hospitalization rates are higher for the priority population compared with the reference group (significant at p<0.05).
"-" indicates hospitalization rates are lower for the priority population compared with the reference group (significant at p<0.05).
"Increased" indicates hospitalization rates increased over time (significant at p<0.05).
"Decreased" indicates hospitalization rates decreased over time (significant at p<0.05).
"No difference" indicates hospitalization rates are comparable between the priority population and the reference group.

a Full definitions for each Prevention Quality Indicator are in the Glossary section of this report.

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