Table 3.
Medical resource utilization and costs
| Resource item | Patients, n (%) | Total, n | Mean ± SD (per patient) | Mean costs (AUD) ± SD (per patient) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloods testsa | 30 (100) | 496 | 16.53 ± 8.38 | 1811.28 ± 580.10 |
| Ultrasound | 12 (40) | 28 | 0.93 ± 1.28 | 86.59 ± 124.55 |
| Chest X-ray | 7 (23) | 7 | 0.20 ± 0.41 | 9.43 ± 20.28 |
| CT scan | 6 (20) | 8 | 0.27 ± 0.58 | 79.34 ± 182.43 |
| MRI | 1 (3.3 | 1 | 0.03 ± 0.18 | 14.93 ± 81.79 |
| Ultrasound-guided aspiration | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ± 0.18 | 1.245 ± 6.82 |
| Bone Scan | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ± 0.18 | 20.02 ± 109.67 |
| ECHO | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ± 0.18 | 7.69 ± 42.11 |
| ECG | 4 (13.3) | 4 | 0.13 ± 0.35 | 2.07 ± 5.38 |
| Urinalysis | 6 (20) | 8 | 0.27 ± 0.64 | 5.48 ± 13.15 |
| Feces exam | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ± 0.18 | 1.12 ± 6.12 |
| MRCP | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ± 0.18 | 14.93 ± 81.79 |
| Sputum MCS | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ± 0.18 | 1.13 ± 6.16 |
| Respiratory function test | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ± 0.18 | 1.19 ± 6.51 |
| Exercise stress test | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ± 0.18 | 5.07 ± 27.79 |
| Gastroscopy | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ± 0.18 | 5.90 ± 32.33 |
| Colonoscopy | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ± 0.18 | 11.15 ± 61.04 |
| Capsule endoscopy | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ± 0.18 | 67.97 ± 372.3 |
| Surgical procedure | 2 (6.7) | 3 | 0.10 ± 0.40 | 38.27 ± 147.70 |
| Specialty referrals (all) | 17 (56.7) | 25 | 0.83 ±0.95 | 130.20 ±138.80 |
| Rheumatology | 2 (6.7) | 2 | 0.07 ±0.25 | 10.06 ±38.28 |
| Cardiology | 2 (6.7) | 2 | 0.07 ±0.25 | 10.06 ±38.28 |
| Psychiatry | 6 (20) | 6 | 0.2 ±0.41 | 52.06 ± 105.90 |
| Haematology | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ±0.18 | 5.03 ±27.55 |
| Gastroenterology | 2 (6.7) | 2 | 0.07 ±0.25 | 10.06 ±38.28 |
| Ophthalmology | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ±0.18 | 2.85 ±15.62 |
| Dermatology | 2 (6.7) | 2 | 0.07 ±0.25 | 5.70 ± 21.70 |
| Infectious disease | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ±0.18 | 5.03 ±27.55 |
| Thoracic medicine | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ±0.18 | 5.03 ±27.55 |
| Gynaecology | 2 (6.7) | 2 | 0.07 ±0.25 | 5.70 ± 21.70 |
| Endocrinology | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ±0.18 | 5.03 ±27.55 |
| Nephrology | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ±0.18 | 5.03 ±27.55 |
| Cardiothoracic surgery | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ±0.18 | 2.85 ±15.62 |
| General surgery | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ±0.18 | 2.85 ±15.62 |
| Colorectal surgery | 1 (3.3) | 1 | 0.03 ±0.18 | 2.85 ±15.62 |
| Liver clinic visits | 30 (100) | 344 | 11.47 ±3.74 | N/A |
| ER visits | 7 (23.3) | 12 | 0.40 ±0.86 | N/A |
| Hospital admissions | 2 (6.7) | 4 | 0.13 ±0.51 | N/A |
| Total | $2,318.28±$1,104.20 |
Note:
a
Blood test costs per patient equal the sum of all individual item costs (e.g., full blood count, C-reactive protein).
Abbreviations: AUD, Australian dollars; CT, computed tomography; ECG, electrocardiogram; ECHO, echocardiogram; ER, emergency room; MCS, microscopy, culture and sensitivity; MRCP, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; N/A, not applicable; SD, standard deviation.