Effects of Continuity of Care on Avoidable Hospitalization in Hypertensive Patients: A Retrospective Analysis in High-altitudes of China
1
School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
In recent years, the hospitalization rate in China has continued to rise, with an increasing prevalence of avoidable hospitalizations. While developed countries have extensively studied avoidable hospitalization, research in China remains limited, particularly regarding the impact of continuity of care on avoidable hospitalization, which has yet to yield consistent conclusions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of continuity of care on avoidable hospitalization in hypertensive patients.
METHODS:
Using claims data from basic medical insurance in three cities in high-altitude areas of China, from 2022 to 2023, we identified 13831 patients aged ≥18 years with at least three hospital visits for hypertension-related conditions in 2022. By analyzing whether these patients experienced avoidable hospitalizations due to hypertension in 2023 and evaluating continuity of care (COC, UPC, and SECON indicators) using 2022 data, the aim was to determine the association between continuity of care and avoidable hospitalizations. Logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, region, insurance type, and number of hospital visits.
RESULTS:
Among the 13831 patients, 425 (3.1%) experienced avoidable hospitalization for hypertension. Higher continuity of care was associated with a significantly lower risk of avoidable hospitalization: COC (OR=0.253, 95% CI: 0.164–0.383, p<0.001), UPC (OR=0.230, 95% CI: 0.140–0.374, p<0.001), and SECON (OR=0.335, 95% CI: 0.238–0.469, p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS:
Enhanced continuity of care is associated with reduced avoidable hospitalizations in hypertensive patients. Strengthening healthcare system capacity, improving longitudinal patient management, and fostering strong patient-physician relationships may be effective strategies to mitigate unnecessary hospitalizations.
In recent years, the hospitalization rate in China has continued to rise, with an increasing prevalence of avoidable hospitalizations. While developed countries have extensively studied avoidable hospitalization, research in China remains limited, particularly regarding the impact of continuity of care on avoidable hospitalization, which has yet to yield consistent conclusions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of continuity of care on avoidable hospitalization in hypertensive patients.
METHODS:
Using claims data from basic medical insurance in three cities in high-altitude areas of China, from 2022 to 2023, we identified 13831 patients aged ≥18 years with at least three hospital visits for hypertension-related conditions in 2022. By analyzing whether these patients experienced avoidable hospitalizations due to hypertension in 2023 and evaluating continuity of care (COC, UPC, and SECON indicators) using 2022 data, the aim was to determine the association between continuity of care and avoidable hospitalizations. Logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, region, insurance type, and number of hospital visits.
RESULTS:
Among the 13831 patients, 425 (3.1%) experienced avoidable hospitalization for hypertension. Higher continuity of care was associated with a significantly lower risk of avoidable hospitalization: COC (OR=0.253, 95% CI: 0.164–0.383, p<0.001), UPC (OR=0.230, 95% CI: 0.140–0.374, p<0.001), and SECON (OR=0.335, 95% CI: 0.238–0.469, p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS:
Enhanced continuity of care is associated with reduced avoidable hospitalizations in hypertensive patients. Strengthening healthcare system capacity, improving longitudinal patient management, and fostering strong patient-physician relationships may be effective strategies to mitigate unnecessary hospitalizations.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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