[Frequency and determinants of inter-hospital transfers in the Local Health Unit of Frosinone, Italy in the years 1997-2005].

Community and rural hospitals rely to a greater extent on transferring acute patients to other settings which can provide the required definitive care. Using data on all hospital discharges of patients from the 11 acute care hospitals of the Frosinone Local Health Unit (7 of which were publicly run, and 4 were run by privates) over the period 1997-2005, a study was carried out to assess the frequency, time-trend and determinants of transfers. Between 1997 and 2005, 8,009 patients (1.3%) were transferred to acute care hospitals, while 2,499 (0.4%) were transferred to long-term and rehabilitation hospitals. The proportion of patients transferred to acute care hospitals increased over time, while that of patients transferred to long-term services was stable. Men, the elderly, those admitted in intensive care units and those with orthopaedic injuries, burns, traumas, drug abuse, mental illnesses, neurological and cardiovascular diseases were more likely to be transferred. Adjusting for other risk factors, the hospital of Ceccano had a higher frequency of transfers (8.7%) compared to the other hospitals, while privately administered hospitals showed a much lower percentage of inter-hospital transfers.