Canada is an extreme outlier in terms of hospital services. We provide hospital inpatient services to fewer patients than any other developed nation. The 34 member "rich nations" club, the Organization for Economic Coordination and Development (OECD) has released its 2013 comparison of health statistics for its member states. For 2011 (or the reported year closest to 2011) the OECD reports that the average number of hospital discharges per 100,000 people is 15,561. The Canadian rate reported is 8,249. In other words, we have just over half (53%) the number of discharges as other developed nations. Only Mexico has a lower number -- although many would classify it as a developing nation rather than a rich one. Otherwise, Chile, which has 15% more discharges, is our nearest comparator. The rest range between 24% higher (Spain) to 333% higher (Austria). (You can download the complete 2013 OECD comparison by clicking here. ) Even this may understate
Notes from Leftwords -- Doug Allan