title: A method for the measurement of outpatient resource utilization.
abstract: A method for measuring outpatient resource utilization in terms of the amounts of time different categories of patients spend with various providers is described. Patients are categorized based on selected attributes, but other attributes could be used. The method is based on two important and measurable variables: 1) frequencies of usage of different resources (e.g., nurse practitioners, physicians, x-ray), and 2) amounts of time used, by each provider type and by ancillary services (x-ray). Using the quantitative measures described, an algorithm is developed for measuring the direct labor costs of delivering primary care to different types of primary care patients.
authors.affiliation: Science and Technology Center, BellSouth Telecommunications, Atlanta, Georgia 30375.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hooshiari
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khorramshahgol
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001900:Boston; D004180:Direct Service Costs; D005544:Forecasting; D006302:Health Services Research; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014492:United States Public Health Service; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000379:methods*