Table 2 Resource unit definition, unit cost, unit quantity and total cost for each resource

 Prior ED consultations

1x ED consultation in the 7 days prior to the index admission. This includes an ED admission with a direct transfer to the index hospital.

Source: Independent Hospital Pricing Authority, Public Sector, Round 22 (Financial Year 2017–18) multiplied by CPI for 2018/19 costs [16]

$716.62; n = 64

(range = 0 to 5 per patient)

$705.60 (SD $676.20)

$45,863.48

 Prior GP consultations

1x GP appointment at Level D Item 413

Source: Based on MBS Fees 201905-MBS.pdf (mbsonline.gov.au) for the 2018/19 fee schedule, p255

$123.55; n = 67

(range = 0 to 5 per patient)

$127.35 (SD $139.80)

$8277.85

 TOTAL INDEX ADMISSION

All costs associated with the index admission

Variable; n = 65

$60,112.13 (SD $79,072.41)

$ 3,907,288.38

 ICU admission

ICU costs associated with the index admission

Variable; n = 27

$23,155.92 (SD $47,258.65)

$ 1,505,134.87

 Acute ward admission

Acute ward costs associated with the index admission (nursing and medical costs and supplies)

Variable; n = 64

$16,314.36 (SD $15,695.65)

$ 1,060,433.46

 HITH admission

HITH costs associated with the index admission

Variable; n = 17

$1154.63 (SD $2890.21)

$ 75,050.78

 Blood products

Blood product costs associated with the index admission (including IVIG)

Variable; n = 20

$1065.59 (SD $2826.56)

$ 69,263.04

 Pathology utilisation

Pathology costs associated with the index admission

Variable; n = 60

$1851.36 (SD $2308.96)

$ 120,338.63

 Imaging utilisation

Imaging costs associated with the index admission

Variable; n = 54

$3508.25 (SD $6187.47)

$ 228,035.98

 Pharmacy utilisation

Pharmacy costs associated with the index admission

Variable; n = 65

$1523.60 (SD $2283.74)

$ 99,033.83

 Theatre utilisation

Theatre and surgery costs associated with the index admission

Variable; n = 49

$4835.93 (SD $5472.89)

$ 314,335.20

 Allied Health utilisation

Allied Health costs associated with the index admission

Variable; n = 64

$1289.94 (SD $2332.85)

$ 83,846.00

 Other

Any other index admission costs not previously specified.

Variable; n = 64

$5412.56 (SD $5269.33)

$ 351,816.57

 Rehabilitation inpatient admission directly after the index admission

Per diem rate for all admission costs associated with re- admissions 0-6 months post index admission

Source: Modelled data from the RCH administrative dataset

Variable, n = 5

$3625.89 (SD $13,401.38)

$235,682.70

 Re-admission to the index hospital

Per diem rate for all admission costs associated with re- admissions 0-6 months post index admission

Source: Modelled data from the RCH administrative dataset

Variable, n = 12

$3030.84 (SD $11,187.71)

$197,004.87

 Outpatient consultations

1x outpatient consultation for an allied health service or medical review

Source: Based on Allied Health MBS Fees 201905-MBS.pdf (mbsonline.gov.au) for the 2018/19 fee schedule, p1288

$62.25; n = 206 (range = 0 to 45 per patient)

$197.13 (SD 409.37)

$12,813.60

 Total healthcare costs

All reported healthcare costs in the 7 days prior to the index admission, during the index admission, and in the 0-6 months post index admission

Variable; n = 65