Definitions of Keywords | The term admissions is used for clarity. The indicator measures the number of general acute inpatient and day case discharges per 100,000 population with an alcohol-related diagnosis. Alcohol related conditions are defined by using the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD10). Alcohol related conditions used are: E24.4, E51.2, F10, G31.2, G62.1, G72.1, I42.6, K29.2, K70, K86.0, O35.4, P04.3, Q86.0, R78.0, T51.0, T51.1, T51.9, X45, X65, Y15, Y57.3, Y90, Y91, Z50.2, Z71.4, Z72.1. The lists of the ICD10 codes used in analysis of hospital data (general acute and psychiatric) codes have recently been revised. All historic data is based on the revised code list. The rate per 100,000 population is calculated using the European Age Standardised Rate (EASR) methodology. The age standardised rate is the number of events that would occur in a standard population (per 100,000) if that population had the age-specific rates for a given area. The rates are standardised to the European Standard Population. The indicator excludes: - admissions to mental illness hospitals, psychiatric units and maternity hospitals.
- transfer cases.
- patients resident outwith Scotland or those where NHS board or council area of residence is not known.
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Baseline and Past Trends | Alcohol related hospital admissions have been steadily increasing over the past decade. In 2007/08 the rate of alcohol related hospital admissions was 777 per 100,000 population. This represents a 6.6% increase in admissions from the baseline in 2006/07, when the rate was 729 per 100,000, and a 16.7% increase since 2003/04 when the rate was 666 per 100,000 population. |
Methodology for Data Source | The indicator reports episodes of care rather than the numbers of patients. Individual patients can receive multiple episodes of care within a single year. The indicator reports general acute inpatient admissions only. Psychiatric inpatient admissions with an alcohol-related diagnosis are not included due to concern over the consistency of this measure. The number of psychiatric hospital admissions may be falling due to more services being provided in the community, rather than a real fall in the number of alcohol-related psychiatric episodes. The recording of alcohol misuse may vary from hospital to hospital. Where alcohol misuse is suspected but unconfirmed it may not be recorded by hospitals. Changes in recording practices may impact on the number of alcohol-related admissions recorded. To control for potential influences of changing population numbers and structures, the indicator reports a standardised population rate. The rate is calculated using the European Age Standardised Rate (EASR) methodology. Age standardised rates facilitates comparisons across geographical areas by controlling for differences in the age structure of local populations. Alcohol-related admissions rates are subject to revision as there is no cut off for acceptance of SMR01 returns (although 99% are received within one year). |
Methodology for Recent Change Arrow on Scotland | This evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 1.0% of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. A decrease of 1.0% or more suggests the position is improving; whereas an increase of 1.0% or more suggests the position is worsening. |