Author/Authors :
Al-Omar, B.A. King Saud University - College of Administrative Sciences - Department of Health and Hospital Administration, Saudi Arabia , Al-Assaf, A.F. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center - Department of Health Administration and Policy, USA , Al-Aiban, K.M. King Saud University - College of Administrative Sciences - Department of Health and Hospital Administration, Saudi Arabia , Kalash, K.K. Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia , Javed, F. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center - Department of Health Administration and Policy, USA
Abstract :
This study investigated factors causing inappropriate hospitalization from the physicians’ perspectives at government, primary and military hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire to 250 physicians showed that the majority were aware of inappropriate admissions. Problems with inappropriate admissions occurred more frequently at public hospitals (both government and military) than private hospitals. The reasons believed to contribute most to inappropriate admission and hospitalization were the inability of the patient’s family to take care of the patient, to satisfy the patient’s request, and the absence of someone to get the patient out of the hospital.
