The background to AQUATIME

In 2014, there were approximately 1.1 million admissions to public hospitals in Denmark. Citizens over the age of 65 accounted for about 460,000 of the admissions.

Of these admissions, as much as 14.6% - or approx. 67,000 - were defined as "preventable", i.e. hospitalizations due to factors that can be prevented if action is taken at the right time and with the right kind of help.

The number of preventable admissions is increasing and highest for the oldest citizens and the elderly who are most reliant on care. Approx. one third of the admissions from nursing homes are thus preventable.

An admission costs on average approx. 3,000 euro. Of this sum, the municipality of residence usually pays approx. a third. There is thus an economic potential in preventing hospitalizations for citizens above the age of 65.

The municipalities have a special opportunity to play a role here, as the municipalities are in contact with the citizen within 10 days prior to almost half of the preventable admissions.

This contact takes place via a serviced residence, home nursing, personal care or other practical assistance to the citizen.