Changes in hospitalization populations by level of complexity at children's hospitals

Abstract

It is important for hospitals to understand how hospitalizations for children are changing to adapt and best accommodate the future needs of all patient populations. This study aims to understand how hospitalizations for children with medical complexity (CMC) and non-CMC have changed over time at children's hospitals, and how hospitalizations for these children will look in the future. Children with 3+ complex chronic conditions (CCC) accounted for 7% of discharges and over one-quarter of days and one-third of costs during the study period (2012–2022). The number of CCCs was associated with increased growth in discharges, hospital days, and costs. Understanding these trends can help hospitals better allocate resources and training to prepare for pediatric patients across the spectrum of complexity.