[feebeeglee]

OK, so I got curious what the circ rate was here in Kansas. I decide to call some local hospitals to see what they say their circ rate is. I say I'm writing a paper (not too far a stretch, right? I'm gonna post the info here) and here are the results I got.

Hospital #1: Called Birth Care Center. Got clueless phone answerer type person. Put me on hold for a few minutes. Came back and told me she had no idea. Also had no idea who would have an idea.

Hospital #2: Got slightly frosty phone answerer type person. After a long pause, said "I don't think we keep that information." I said, "well, I figure you must have it somewhere, maybe someone who is more involved in record-keeping could help me?" Another wait, this time the person is decidedly irritated by my question. Says "No we don't keep that information. I would have to go look at all the case files for each child to answer your question."

Now, is it just me or is that a load of hooey? I was so non-confrontational... Anyone have any ideas how I could actually find out the stats? Is this common, for a hospital to not keep that sort of record, say, of appendectomies, etc?

 

[Frankly Speaking]

The way circumcision statistics are done is that the National Centers for Health Statistics division of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has selected hospitals in selected areas that report this type of information. Those figures are then averaged and reported for the region and nation. They are not dead on accurate but are within a percentage point which is good enough for government work and statistical reporting.

I suspect there is someone there who does have that information unless it is a very small hospital. Most hospitals have information systems that will break down their profit and expense centers into items and this would be where the information would be available. It may take a little work by the MIS or other computer management type to massage the information out. In a small hospital that type of professional probably is not on staff and outside help may have to brought in to get it. It is doubtful that they would be that accomodating.

Your best bet may be through the Billing Dept., Accounting, the CFO or through the hospital administrators office. Then there is also the possibility that they don't want that information known to the general public.

Frank

 

[Xenogenesis]

When I was researching cesarean sections I was told that the billing dept, or accounting, etc. through the administrators office would have statistics on the hospital's current c-section rates.

I imagine there might be some sort of public disclosure available concerning the hospital's expenses, etc. But I could very well be wrong about that.

You might have to dig for some answers.