Reasons and Details of Unnecessary Hospital Visits Explained in Istanbul

The Istanbul Provincial Director of Health shared with the public the reasons for excessive hospital visits when they are not needed and the impact of this situation on the healthcare system.

Density in Healthcare Services

Stating that Istanbul is the health capital of the world, the Provincial Director of Health expressed that a total of 148 million examinations were carried out in the first eight months of this year.

Preventive Healthcare Services

It was emphasized that citizens should benefit from preventive healthcare services before losing their health, and that the effective use of primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services is important.

The Role of Family Physicians

It was conveyed that family physicians are important health consultants who know the patient and their family, know their previous illnesses, and can evaluate risk factors.

Difficulty Accessing Services

It was stated that unnecessary hospital visits in Istanbul can make it difficult for people who genuinely need healthcare services to access them.

Anxiety and Hypertension Case

It was disclosed that a woman who applied to Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital 316 times in one year was afraid of hypertension due to anxiety and believed she would feel better by having serum administered in the emergency room.

Reduction with Expert Support

It was noted that the individual in the anxiety case was persuaded with the help of psychologists, psychiatrists, and physicians, reducing hospital visits to once a month or every two months.

Condition of a COPD Patient

It was determined that a patient who experienced shortness of breath due to COPD and could not manage it applied to the hospital 337 times in a year, wearing out both the system and themselves.

Recommendation for Proper Guidance

It was reminded that citizens should first apply to their family physicians and that family physicians can refer patients to specialist units when needed.