The Evolution of Treatment at the Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Clinic

Abstract

Introduction: The last 20 years have been a period of huge changes in Polish healthcare, both in terms of medical progress as well as organization and financing. These changes, and especially the newly introduced queuing systems significantly influenced the changes in the profile of hospital admission. The aim: To analyze changes in the patient profile, causes and time of hospitalization, as well as the waiting time for hospitalization, in 1996-2019 Lublin SPSK4 Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Clinic. Material and methods: Patients’ medical records were analyzed, including qualification cards. The waiting time for admission to the hospital, the time of hospitalization, the cause of hospitalization, gender and the patient’s place of residence were analyzed. Results and conclusions: 1. During the 13 years analyzed, the number of hospitalizations increased from 452 to 1387 patients a year. 2. The waiting time for hospitalization increased from an average of 2 months in 1996 to even 2 years (in the case of patients with chronic category) in 2020. 3. The average length of hospitalization changed compared to the level of 1996 (8 weeks) in the case of patients with the early neurological category increased slightly (9 weeks), in the case of other patients - it decreased to 4 weeks, respectively - chronically ill patients, 3 weeks - patients from the systemic and weekly rehabilitation category - orthopedic patients. 4. The scope of the reasons for hospitalization, but also methods of treatment has expanded significantly. 5. Patient demographic profile in the examined aspects (origin, gender) - remained similar.