According to AHRQ, the cost of a stay in a community hospital during this period increased 4 percent each year for patients 64 and younger. Comparatively, hospitalization costs grew 3 percent each year for those 65 and older.
AHRQ also found that:
• $208 billion was spent for hospital stays for patients age 64 and younger in 2009, compared with $154 billion for older patients.
• From 1997-2009, the average hospital stay remained constant at 4 days for patients age 64 and younger, yet the average stay among older patients decreased from 6 days to 5 days.
• Among all patients, septicemia, back problems and osteoarthritis were the three conditions showing the greatest increase in hospital costs.
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