More than 395 thousand hospitalizations in the DR could have been prevented

Santo Domingo, D.R. - The Superintendency of Health and Occupational Risks (SISALRIL) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) presented a report on Avoidable Hospitalizations (HE) in the Family Health Insurance (SFS), during the period 2019-2024. The results revealed that in five years there were 395,248 hospitalizations that could have been prevented with timely outpatient treatment, with an incidence of 52% in women and 48% in men, representing 16% of the hospital discharges for the period.

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The main causes of avoidable hospitalizations included gastroenteritis, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular diseases, lower respiratory conditions, and hypertension, concentrating 60.6% of avoidable cases and representing a cost of approximately RD$ 12.4 billion for services provided. The objective of the analysis developed by SISALRIL and PAHO is to generate strategic evidence that contributes to creating the conditions to optimize resources in the SFS, aimed at reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, as a key mechanism to strengthen Primary Health Care, ensuring effective access to quality services and greater sustainability. The report recommended prioritizing intervention packages in Primary Health Care for cardiometabolic control and secondary prevention, including standardized and continuous improvement strategies. With the presentation of the study “Avoidable Hospitalizations (HE) for Conditions Sensitive to Ambulatory Care in the Family Health Insurance”, both entities strengthened their commitment to develop strategies and public policy recommendations that contribute to strengthening the Family Health Insurance for the benefit of citizens.