Term: Level of Comorbidity and Complications

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2007-09-26

Definition:

An indicator measuring the impact on hospital resources of a case, based on the "complexity" of hospital care required to treat patients. Using the RDRG® program, patients are classified into 3 levels of complexity:

1. those where comorbidity and complications were likely to have no or only minor impact on hospital resource use (low);
   
2. those in which comorbidity and complications were likely to have a moderate impact; and
   
3. those conditions where comorbidity and complications were likely to have a major impact (high).
   
   The final category includes a "catastrophic" category for surgical cases.

Related terms 

• Comorbidity / Comorbidities
• Complexity
• Complications
• Complications and Comorbidities (CC)
• Indicators of Differential Utilization
• Level Of Severity
• Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (RDRG®)
• Severity of Illness
• Utilization of Hospital Resources

References 

• Black C, Roos NP, Burchill CA. Utilization of Hospital Resources. Volume I: Key Findings. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation, 1993. [Report] (View)
• Black C, Roos NP, Burchill CA. Utilization of Hospital Resources. Volume II: Methods and Tables. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation, 1993. [Report] (View)
• Brownell M, Roos NP. Monitoring the Winnipeg Hospital System: The Update Report 1993/1994. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation, 1996. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Frohlich N, Markesteyn T, Roos NP, Carriere KC, Black C, De Coster C, Burchill CA, MacWilliam L. A Report on the Health Status, Socio-Economic Risk and Health Care Use of the Manitoba Population, 1992-93 and Overview of the 1990-91 to 1992-93 Findings. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation, 1994. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Roos NP, Shapiro E. Monitoring the Winnipeg Hospital System: The First Report. 1990-1992 . Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation, 1994. [Report] [Summary] (View)