Are day hospitals the answer to rising health costs?
SJ speaks to Carl Grillenberger, Chairperson of Advanced Healthcare SA, who believes that day hospitals could offer a transformative solution to the escalating healthcare costs in the country.
Picture: © Antonio Diaz/ 123rf.com
As South Africans we are constantly faced with the increases in the cost of living and an ailing economy, forcing many of us to be on the constant look out for areas where we can cut down on spending.
For a small percentage of the population, healthcare costs are covered by medical aid, but only an estimated 16% of South Africans have a medical aid plan and the rest rely on an already overburdened healthcare system.
Day hospitals could play a significant role in mitigating healthcare affordability, says Carl Grillenberger, chairperson of Advanced Healthcare South Africa.
He believes that day hospitals could offer a transformative solution to the escalating healthcare costs in the country.
"The first advantage is that it's cost effective. At these facilities, you're not exposed to germs or super-bugs. During Covid-19, many hospitals were restricted from surgical procedures, but day hospitals could continue with this. This is because there's a perception there's no serious risks of infection."
-Carl Grillenberger, Advanced Healthcare South Africa chairperson
A day hospital is a facility that provides medical and surgical care for patients who do not require an overnight stay.
Day hospitals are also sometimes referred to as outpatient surgery centres or same-day surgery centres.
Patients who have procedures or surgeries at a day hospital typically go home the same day.
Among the procedures administered at day hospitals are ear, nose and throat procedures, general surgery that are less invasive, orthopaedic surgery and knee and hip replacements.
"Covid-19 made a big difference and people started realising day hospitals can be used for surgical procedures, whereas before they would opt for a hospital."
-Carl Grillenberger, Advanced Healthcare South Africa chairperson
In South Africa, the growth of day hospitals has been slow due to a lack of buy-in from the medical fraternity.
"In countries like the US, we see there are about 6000 day surgery facilities which supply a tremendous amount of surgical procedures required in the country. It helps patients 65 years and older to save a lot of costs on medical spending in the States."
-Carl Grillenberger, Advanced Healthcare South Africa chairperson
Scroll up for the interview.