[Regional Differences in Selecting a Place for Recuperation].

ABSTRACT

I studied a case that let me to consider the regional medical differences in Akita Prefecture. The patient was 85-year-old and female. After she was rushed to an acute care hospital in Yuri-Honjo Nikaho district, she was diagnosed with right leg acute artery obstruction and treated with thrombectomy. Unfortunately, it had no effect. Hence, it was necessary to amputate the right leg. However, her son who lived in Akita city refused the operation and requested that she be transferred. She received treatment at this hospital until she transferred to Akita city. When leg necrosis progresses in Yuri-Honjo Nikaho district, it is common to stay in the hospital for treatment. However, in Akita city, some medical treatments are given not only in hospitals but also at patients' homes. We can receive the same medical treatments not only in the hospital but also at home. Comparing the 2 districts, hospital dependence in Yuri-Honjo Nikaho district is higher than that in Akita city. Many patients are rushed to hospitals in Yuri-Honjo Nikaho district due to slight changes in their condition. Even if patients' conditions change in Akita city, many are treated at home and facilities until the end of life. Currently, the population is aging and there is a need to improve the care environment. Additionally, there is a need to further improve and strengthen the integrated community care system to effectively utilize valuable society resources. Therefore, it is more important to conduct educational campaigns for the integrated community care system.