Data from the Oxford Record Linkage, Study between 1976 and 1986 were
used to analyse statistical profiles of hospital care, taking account
of multiple admissions per patient. Admission rates were higher in the
elderly than the young, they were higher.for men than women, and they
increased over time. Episode-based admission rates increased by 15.5
per cent and person-based rates by, 11.6 per cent. Most of the increas
e therefore represented a real rise in the number of people treated ra
ther than an increase in multiple admissions per person. In the latest
year of the study there was a mean of 125 admissions per annum per 10
0 male patients admitted and of 118 admissions per annum per 100 femal
e patients admitted. The mean length of stay per admission and the tot
al time spent in hospital per person per annum declined substantially
from 1976 to 1986. Admission rates for prostatectomy, colectomy and va
ricose vein surgery increased significantly and those for appendicecto
my, cholecystectomy and peptic ulcer decreased significantly.