CIHI Survey: Variations in Canadian Rates of Hospitalization for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions

M any chronic conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, can be successfully managed in the community. Appropriate screening, ongoing monitoring, prescribing of medications, providing patient education and other supportive measures that help keep these conditions under control are provided in primary healthcare settings. However, sometimes people with such conditions require hospitalization. Although not all admissions for these conditions are avoidable, timely and effective ambulatory care can potentially reduce the risk of hospitalization by possibly preventing or controlling the onset of an illness or condition or by managing the chronic condition (World Health Organization 2005). These conditions are often referred to as ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC).