Australian health review : a publication of the Australian Hospital Association
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The Australian Health Care Agreements govern the relationship between the Commonwealth and States about public hospital funding. The incentives enshrined in the Agreements can shape policy priorities. ⋯ This paper argues that the negotiations should focus on two key areas where Commonwealth-State frictions are high but reform is feasible. Specifically it is suggested that the Commonwealth should contribute its funding of public hospital inpatient services on a casemix basis, and secondly, should fund outpatient services directly.
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This paper presents an outline of the socio-demographic features of the Australian Capital Territory (the ACT) and of its health care system. I describe how health care resources are allocated in the government sector, present a more detailed description of the way that hospital services are purchased, and summarise the government's policy directions for health. ⋯ In total, the ACT government appears to be on the right track. However, I argue that more rapid progress might be possible if there were greater collaboration between the Territory health authority and the relatively powerful private medical profession.
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The renegotiation process for the next Australian Health Care Agreements 2003-2008 presents an opportunity for State and Territory Governments to suggest reforms to improve acute and sub acute health services and health outcomes. Four key issues to Victoria are discussed, emergency departments and primary care interface, workforce planning, aged care and the continuum of care.
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Comparative Study
Older patients' utilisation of emergency department resources: a cross-sectional study.
A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate older patients' utilisation of emergency department resources. Patients aged > or = 65 years, compared with adults < 65 years, were more likely to be triaged to higher clinical urgency categories. They have a higher hospital admission rate and longer length-of-stay even after adjusting for triage category. ⋯ These groups had similar hospital admission rates and lengths-of-stay. Patients > or = 65 years presented in similar numbers during office-hours and after-hours, but after-hours attendances were more likely to be triaged to higher urgency categories. The greater emergency department resource utilisation by older people has implications for the provision of health services in an aging population.