Table 2.

Incidence and cost of complications for Medicare beneficiaries during 12-month episodes of care, by condition, 2008–09

	CHF			COPD			DM
	Percent with complication	Mean per patient cost^	SD	Percent with complication	Mean per patient cost^	SD	Percent with complication	Mean per patient cost^	SD
Inpatient hospitalization	10	2,744	19,050	7	2,475	6,462	4	2,895	11,613
ED visit	45	793	1,061	36	763	998	27	717	957
Complications related to index condition*	17	339	571	41	658	1,312	9	447	1,413
Complications related to comorbidity	67	1,134	2,107	55	959	1,590	50	715	1,296
Complications related to patient safety	25	772	11,013	19	514	1,343	15	699	4,513

^*limited to specific complications that were highly rated by expert panel, had >=1% prevalence for the episode, and were not included in inpatient or ED visits

^{^}Mean costs are calculated for patients who experienced at least 1 of each type of event/complication

SD=standard deviation. CHF = congestive heart failure. COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. ED = emergency department.