Effect of casemix funding on outcomes in patients admitted to hospital with suspected unstable angina

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effect of the introduction of casemix funding on resource utilisation and clinical outcomes in patients admitted to hospital with suspected unstable angina. Design: A prospective cohort study with a 6-month follow-up. Setting: A suburban community hospital in Melbourne, Victoria. Patients: 336 consecutive patients admitted to the coronary care unit with suspected unstable angina before (156) and after (180) the introduction of casemix funding. Intervention: Introduction of casemix funding in July 1993. Main outcome measures: Indices of resource utilisation: length of stay in hospital, length of stay in the coronary care unit, and total cost of investigations (pat..