Potentially avoidable hospitalisations in Australia: causes for hospitalisations and primary health care interventions

Abstract

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) described potentially avoidable hospitalisations (PAHs) as “admissions to hospital that could have potentially been prevented through the provision of appropriate non-hospital health services”. The AIHW classify PAHs into three main types: vaccine-preventable, chronic, and acute conditions. In 2009-10, PAHs related to chronic conditions were the most common, due mainly to the high rates of hospitalisations for diabetes complications (24% of all PAHs). Moderately high rates of PAHs were also reported for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dehydration and gastroenteritis, and dental conditions (9-10% of all PAHs).