A Computer Analysis of Patient Activity and Blood Product Usage in Community Hospital Hemophilia Program

Abstract

This program evaluation assessed utilization of blood products and hospital services in 1975. One hundred eight hemophiliacs, 10 (0-4 years), 37 (5-12 years), 21 (13-18 years), 24 (19-30 years), 16 (30 years and over); 73 (Factor VIII), 20 (Factor IX), 12 (Von Willebrand’s Disease), and 3 (Factor XI) were categorized as to their severity and their primary treatment mode: Home Care Prophylactic, Home Care Episodic, Hospital-based Prophylactic, and Hospital-based Episodic Care. The results showed that the major user of hospital services was the child, 5-12 years. Hospital-based patients used more hospital based services, i.e., emergency room, comprehensive clinic, and dental non-surgery than did home based patients. In terms of factor unit consumption per kilogram body weight, prophylactic patients used the greatest amount of blood product. Children on prophylaxis missed less school but adults on prophylaxis did not miss less work. Children on hospital modes of care utilized this medical service less in the summer than did their peers on home based care. These results provided direction for planning future programs and staffing. They suggest a need for increasing surveillance of Home Care patients to maximize their participation in certain hospital based services. The unexpected finding of decreased hospital based care during the summer warrants further study. The results suggest considering prophylactic modes of care in school aged children.