Cutting hospital stays fails to tackle surging demand

MedTech & Diagnostics News: As Australia grapples with the challenges posed by an ageing population and a surge in chronic diseases, new research suggests that the approach of reducing hospital stays and limiting bed availability may no longer be sustainable. According to a new study, the country is reaching the limits of how much hospital stays can be safely shortened.

Led by Dr Natasha Reid, a research fellow and clinical epidemiologist at the Centre for Health Services Research at the University of Queensland, along with her esteemed colleagues Thakeru Gamage, Dr Stephen Duckett, and Professor Leonard Gray, the study analysed hospitalisation data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

“It’s becoming evident that we can’t further reduce hospital stays using the existing healthcare models,” warned Dr Reid. With the number of people aged 65 and above surpassing those under 5 years for the first time in history, the strain on Australia’s healthcare system is undeniable.

“We need to start exploring innovative solutions to alleviate the pressure on our acute care sector,” urged Dr Reid. Among the potential strategies she proposes are embracing technology, such as mobile health and remote monitoring, and investing in health promotion initiatives.

But it’s not just about adopting new technologies. The healthcare system must adapt to the changing landscape and focus on effectively managing an ageing population with chronic conditions.

“Ageing and chronic disease management are at the heart of healthcare, and we need creative solutions to achieve better outcomes,” explained Dr Reid.

One such solution, suggested by Professor Leonard Gray, is expanding hospital capacity. This means increasing the number of hospital beds and making significant investments in hospital care. The current approach of reducing the length of stay for older patients can only be sustained for so long.

Australia is now turning to international examples to gain insight into managing hospital admissions in the face of these challenges. Countries like the UK have successfully implemented programs such as the “Frailty at the Front Door” service, aimed at improving the experience and outcomes for frail patients in emergency departments.

However, Dr Malcolm Wright AM, said “It is fascinating that once again, the NHS model of care is being quoted as a potential solution. Has nobody been reading the news, watching the TV or reading the avalanche of articles in the press and on the internet testifying that the NHS is now broken? Not about to break, but broken. There are years-long waiting lists, rolling strikes by doctors and nurses, ambulance ramping, and only functioning at all by the ethically dubious plundering of developing countries for their nurses and doctors and other health care professionals. Obviously even in a crumbling structure there will still be islands of ‘quality’ not to mention an abundance of administrators bragging about them. But overall the NHS can teach us nothing.”

Dr Reid and her team are driven by a passionate desire to positively impact the health of all Australians. She explained “We have always aimed to improve the health and wellbeing of populations through evidence-based programs and health service design. The acute care sector holds tremendous potential for creating beneficial health, social, and financial impacts.”

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