Hospital discharge statistics describe inpatient health care (hospital stays) in Austria. They provide a basis for health policy decisions, contribute to health reporting and public health, and are used for research on demographic and medical aspects of inpatient care. The statistics include stay- and patient-related information on hospital discharges and inpatient medical procedures (surgical procedures, non-surgical treatments and examinations). The data are based on the diagnosis and service reports drawn up by the hospitals in accordance with the system of “procedure-oriented hospital financing” on the basis of diagnosis-related groups (DRG).
The results of the hospital discharge statistics are published annually in late autumn. The legal basis for this is the Federal Act on Documentation in the Healthcare System (GDokG).