Patient case mix measurement using outpatient drug dispense data.
This article outlines issues concerned with the development of case mix measurement using outpatient drug dispense databases, particularly as this method is being explored at Kaiser Permanente. Development is oriented to a population-based measure that emphasizes identification of major chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and asthma. Examples illustrate potential applications in the areas of utilization management and resource allocation. Questions concerning the integrity of this method--that is, how reliably the method represents population morbidity--are addressed.
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Oakland, CA.
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Roblin
D002017:Budgets; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D016303:Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003625:Data Collection; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000145:classification*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010045:Outpatients / Q000145:classification*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014481:United States