Patient characteristics associated with hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions in South Carolina

Background. Data for this study came from South Carolina 1995 Hospital Inpa tient Encounter Data Base. The population figures were 1995 South Carolina population estimates. Methods. We examined patient sociodemographic characteristics and costs ass ociated with adult and pediatric ambulatory care sensitive condition (ACSC) hospitalization in South Carolina. Bivariate statistical comparisons were done to test the differences between ACSC and non-ACSC groups in specific s ociodemographic characteristics. Logistic regression determined the relativ e significance of individual characteristics to hospitalizations for ACSC. Cost/charge ratios were used to estimate costs associated with ACSC hospita lizations. Results, Nonwhites, low-income individuals, and those residing in more rura l areas had significantly more ACSC hospitalizations than their respective counterparts (ie, whites, high-income individuals, and those residing in me tropolitan statistical areas). Individuals without a primary care physician were more likely to be hospitalized with ACSC. Ambulatory care sensitive c ondition hospitalization charges were 12% of total hospital charges for adu lts and 20% for children. The average cost per ACSC hospitalization was $3, 929 for adults and $1,818 for children. Conclusion. Providers can rapidly assess needs and barriers faced by vulner able population groups by using regularly collected hospital discharge data at the national, state, and community level.