Increasing Diagnoses Per Patient Admission at a Specialist Children's Hospital

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in PLOS One reveals a significant increase in the number of diagnoses per patient admission at a specialist children's hospital in England over a 24-year period. The research, conducted at Great Ormond St. Hospital for Sick Children, aimed to examine the trend of coexisting diagnoses allocated per patient admission. The study found a substantial increase in the mean number of diagnoses per admission, from 2.72 to 10.43, between 2000 and 2023. This trend is crucial for interpreting retrospective data for AI, research, and planning purposes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study examined 278,579 overnight in-patient admissions at a specialist children's hospital in England over a 24-year period (2000-2023).
  • The total number of ICD-10 patient diagnoses recorded during the study period was 1,023,276.
  • The mean number of diagnoses per admission increased significantly from 2.72 in 2000 to 10.43 in 2023 (Kendall's tau statistic of 0.93; p-value < 0.001).
  • The researchers concluded that recognition of this trend is essential for interpreting retrospective data, informing AI, research, and planning purposes.
  • The study was funded by the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and the NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre.
  • Additional authors for this research include John Booth, Daniel Key, Eleni Pissaridou, William A. Bryant, Neil J. Sebire, and Harry Hemingway.

Statistics:

  • 278,579: The total number of overnight in-patient admissions at the specialist children's hospital during the 24-year study period.
  • 1,023,276: The total number of ICD-10 patient diagnoses recorded during the study period.
  • 2.72: The mean number of diagnoses per admission in 2000.
  • 10.43: The mean number of diagnoses per admission in 2023.
  • 0.93: The Kendall's tau statistic, indicating a strong positive correlation between the number of diagnoses and the study period.
  • < 0.001: The p-value, indicating a statistically significant increase in the mean number of diagnoses per admission.

Sources:

  • "Increasing Diagnoses Per Patient Admission At a Specialist Children's Hospital: a Retrospective Study." PLOS One, 2025;20(5).
  • NewsRx. Reports Outline Pediatrics Study Findings from Great Ormond St. Hospital for Sick Children. Health & Medicine Week. June 13, 2025; p 529.