Alberta Inpatient Separations By Local Geographic Area 2017-2018

Alberta data from fiscal year 2017/2018 tracks inpatient separations for residents across 132 local geographic areas. The dataset distinguishes between care received within versus outside a resident's local area. It was published by Alberta Health in March 2019 as part of the Primary Health Care Community Profiles.

Use Cases

• Analyze healthcare utilization patterns by comparing inpatient separations to facilities inside versus outside each of the 132 local geographic areas.
• Model regional self-sufficiency of hospital services using the ratio of local to out-of-area separations per geographic area.
• Assess patient flow and cross-boundary care by mapping separation counts for specific areas like Lacombe, Red Deer, or Calgary West Bow.

Strengths

• Data is disaggregated for 132 distinct local geographic areas defined by Alberta Health.
• Provides a clear temporal scope for fiscal year 2017/2018.
• Published by the authoritative Government of Alberta as part of an official community health profile.

Limitations

• Contains only a single year of data, limiting longitudinal or trend analysis.
• The specific column names and data structure are unknown, complicating immediate analysis.
• Data is from 2017/2018 and may not reflect current healthcare utilization patterns.

Provenance

Source

Government of Alberta | Gouvernement de l'Alberta

Collection Method

Part of the 'Alberta Health Primary Health Care - Community Profiles' report.

Time Range

Fiscal Year 2017/2018

Freshness

null

Geography

Alberta, Canada, specifically 132 local geographic areas (e.g., Lacombe, Red Deer, Calgary West Bow)