Hospital admissions in children with cerebral palsy: a data linkage study. (30th November 2016) - Meehan, Elaine
Abstract : Aim: The overall aim was to investigate the feasibility and utility of linking a cerebral palsy (CP) register to an administrative data set for health services research purposes. We sought to compare CP hospital admissions to general childhood population admissions, and identify factors associated with type and frequency of admissions in a CP cohort. Method: The CP register for Victoria, Australia was linked to the state's hospital admissions database. Data pertaining to the admissions of a CP cohort ( n =1748) that took place between 2007 and 2014 were extracted. Population data were also obtained. Results: Overall, 80% of the CP cohort ( n =1401) had at least admission between 2007 and 2014, accounting for 11 012 admissions or 1.5% of all admissions in their age group. Compared to general population admissions, CP admissions were more costly and more likely to be elective (66% vs 57%; p <0.001), medical (71% vs 57%; p <0.001), and to take place in metropolitan hospitals (92% vs 78%; p <0.001). Increased CP severity and complexity were associated with having more admissions and a higher proportion of admissions attributable to respiratory illness. Interpretation: By linking with administrative data sets, CP registers may be useful for health services research and inform health service delivery. What this paper adds: Cerebral palsy (CP) admissions are more costly than general childhood admissions. More admissions in children with CP are elective, occurring at metropolitan hospitals. Greater severity is associated with more emergency, multiday, and respiratory admissions. Neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and digestive diseases account for most CP admissions. It is feasible to use CP registers for health services research. This article is commented on by Zwicker and Oskoui on pages458–459 of this issue.