According to a study done by Ian Sheerin, lecturer at the Christchurch School of Medicine about one third of the patients were categorized as avoidable admissions.
According to a study done by Ian Sheerin, lecturer at the Christchurch School of Medicine about one third of the patients were categorized as avoidable admissions. The researcher said that 94,462 bed days and $96.6 million could be saved if the condition of the patients were detected earlier. This study was published in the New Zealand Medical Journal. The largest proportion of avoidable admissions was for cardiovascular disease followed by respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal disorders and diabetes. The researcher said that it was the first time a study of this kind is pursued at the local level. He said that many people could be treated in ways apart from hospital admissions if their condition were detected earlier.
This could be done with the help of GPs. They could ask people to change their lifestyle or prescribing medication that could help stop conditions deteriorating which would require hospital treatment. If the primary and secondary care sectors work together then the best use of the resources could be done. Christchurch cardiologist John Elliott said that it is difficult to get to change their lifestyle. Doctors give advice to people but it is their responsibility to understand the situation and change their lifestyle. The National Heart Foundation recommends that women aged 55 or over and men aged over 45 go in for regular heart checks. Then their GP can advice the patients to make changes in their lifestyle if they are at risk.
