Primary Health Care Research & Information Service
Abstract
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) described potentially avoidable
hospitalisations (PAHs) as “admissions to hospital that could have potentially been prevented
through the provision of appropriate non-hospital health services”. The AIHW classify PAHs into
three main types: vaccine-preventable, chronic, and acute conditions. In 2009-10, PAHs related to
chronic conditions were the most common, due mainly to the high rates of hospitalisations for
diabetes complications (24% of all PAHs). Moderately high rates of PAHs were also reported for
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dehydration and gastroenteritis, and dental
conditions (9-10% of all PAHs)
