Probability of Being Hospitalized in a Given Year

Approximately 33 million hospital admissions occur in the United States each year, meaning roughly 10% of the population is hospitalized in a given year. The average length of stay is about 5.4 days, and the average cost of a hospital stay is approximately $13,000 (though this varies enormously by condition and procedure).

Hospitalization rates vary dramatically by age: about 3% for adults aged 18-44, 9% for ages 45-64, 17% for ages 65-74, and over 25% for those 85 and older. The most common reasons for hospitalization include childbirth (the single most common reason for women aged 18-44), heart failure, pneumonia, COPD exacerbations, hip and knee replacements, sepsis, and mental health crises.

Hospital readmission (returning to the hospital within 30 days of discharge) occurs in about 14% of Medicare patients, costing the healthcare system about $26 billion per year. The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program has incentivized hospitals to improve discharge planning, patient education, and post-discharge follow-up. Patient safety in hospitals remains a concern, with medical errors estimated to contribute to approximately 250,000 deaths per year, making it the third leading cause of death.