Empirically analysis on outpatients/emergency visits and price elasticity of the medical prices reform at Nanjing Children's Hospital / 中华医院管理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To identify the changes of outpatients/emergency visits at Nanjing Children′s Hospital since introduction of the general pricing reform at public hospitals.Methods Fluctuations of outpatients/emergency visits at Nanjing Children′s Hospital before and after the reform in 2015 were compared,and an empirical analysis was made in view of the overall structural changes,demand price elasticity and cross-price elasticity of various outpatients/emergency visits.Results The change of total outpatients/emergency visits was minimal,yet the composition registered significant changes.Monthly average of common outpatients totaled 7 072 visits,a growth of 12.6%;that of senior specialists totaled 3 035 visits,a growth of 48.4%.The price elasticity was<1,while the demand for various outpatients/emergency visits services and cross-price elasticity appeared inelastic.Conclusions The one year reform has witnessed the hospital in smooth operations as yet.Given the sizable rise of examination prices for both outpatients/emergency visits,patient volume remains stable instead of drastic decrease,evidencing the strong demand for children′s medical services.