TABLE 3.

Unit costs

Item	Cost, $	Units	Source
Routine items
Outpatient visit – internist	35.68	Visits	AHCIP – code 0303A INMD
Outpatient visit – general practitioner	28.97	Visits	AHCIP Code 0303A
Spirometry	99.56	Procedures	AHCIP – codes 0338C ($39.68), 0338A ($9.40), 0338N ($25.74), 0338H ($24.74).
Beta-adrenergics	4.72	Days	AHC DBP – General salbutomol, DIN 00002232987, $0.59/puff, 8 per day
Theophylline	0.50	Days	AHC DBP – 400 mg per day, 0ral, $0.5036
Inhaled steroids	1.26	Days	AHC DBP – Flovent, 500 mg per day, 250 mg aerosol $0.6302
Exacerbation items
Intensive care unit days	2,916.00	Days	AHW MIS – 3 x daily ward rate
Ward days	972.00	Days	AHW MIS
Emergency room visits	461.42	Visits	ACCS – code 863 ($418); AHCIP – code 0303A E/M ($43.42)
Antibiotics	6.28	Days	AHC DBP – Clarythromycin, 1000 mg, 500 mg oral ($3.1442)
Systemic steroids	0.13	Days	AHC DBP – Prednisone 30 mg per day 5 mg $0.022

ACCS Ambulatory Case Classification System, in Health Costing in Alberta, 2004 (44); AHC DBP – Alberta Health Care Drug Benefit Plan (42); AHCIP Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, Schedule of Medical Benefits, 2005 (43); AHW MIS Alberta Health and Wellness Management Information System (44); DIN Drug identification number