Vital and health statistics. Trends in hospital utilization: United States, 1965-86.

This report presents statistics on the utilization of non-Federal short-stay hospitals based on data collected through the National Hospital Discharge Survey from 1965 through 1986. The survey is a national sample of records of discharged patients. Estimates are provided on demographic characteristics of patients discharged, selected conditions diagnosed and procedures performed, and by geographic region of the hospital. Measurements of hospital utilization include frequency, rate, percent, and average length of stay.