An examination of cardiovascular-related in-patient hospitalizations in Mississippi: A demographic and financial snapshot

Introduction:  This study seeks to evaluate the number, rates, and demographic differences for cardiovascular-related hospitalizations in Mississippi using the hospital discharge data from 2010.

Methods:  Hospital discharge data with congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and acute cerebrovascular disease as the primary diagnosis were analyzed using SPSS 20.0.  Frequency and descriptive analysis was conducted.

Results:  The hospitalization rates for congestive heart failure (n=11,364) per 1,000 hospitalizations were 3.83 and accounted for 3.64% of the total number of hospitalizations in 2010.  Whites’ congestive heart failure discharge rates (2.06 per 1,000 hospitalizations) were higher than blacks (1.7 per 1,000 hospitalizations).  Females’ congestive heart failure discharge rates (2.06 per 1,000 hospitalizations) were higher than males (1.763 per 1,000 hospitalizations).  The total hospital charges for congestive heart failure hospitalizations was approximately $289 million.  The hospitalization rates for myocardial infarction (n=6392) per 1,000 hospitalizations were 2.15 and accounted for 2.05% of the total number of hospitalizations in 2010.  Whites’ myocardial infarction discharge rates (1.53 per 1,000 hospitalizations) were higher than blacks (0.576 per 1,000 hospitalizations).  Males’ myocardial infarction discharge rates (1.29 per 1,000 hospitalizations) were higher than females (0.87 per 1,000 hospitalizations). The total hospital charges for myocardial infarction hospitalizations was approximately $354 million.  The hospitalization rates for acute cerebrovascular disease (n=4769) per 1,000 hospitalizations were 1.61 and accounted for 1.52% of the total number of hospitalizations in 2010.  Whites’ acute cerebrovascular disease discharge rates (1.04 per 1,000 hospitalizations) were higher than blacks (0.546 per 1,000 hospitalizations).  Females’ acute cerebrovascular disease discharge rates (0.883 per 1,000 hospitalizations) were higher than males (0.72 per 1,000 hospitalizations). The total hospital charges for acute cerebrovascular disease hospitalizations was approximately $131 million. 

Conclusion:  There are racial and gender differences in cardiovascular-related hospitalizations.  Myocardial infarction hospitalizations are the most costly among cardiovascular-related hospitalization.