9.576-018/10

Vienna, 27 January 2010 – In Austria, according to Statistics Austria, the number of hospital discharges was 2 794 500 in 2008, an increase of 52 800 resp. 2% compared to 2007. These figures are in line with past trends. The number of discharges increased by 25% compared to 1998 and even by 62% compared to the late 1980ies. At the same time medical procedures (surgical, diagnostic or therapeutic procedures) delivered during these hospital stays have risen by 64% from 2.8 mio. in the year 1998 to 4.5 mio. in 2008. The number of diagnostic procedures more than doubled in the past ten years. The increase of expenditures for in-patient care was 45% since 1998 to recently 10.9 bn Euro or 4.03% of the GDP (1998: 3.95%).

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