Risk Adjustment Based Upon Resource Utilization

Resource utilization is based upon the assumption that patients with more severe problems will utilize more resources, and the most severe patients will require the most resources. This type of index assumes that no unnecessary resources are utilized and that treatments, medications, and laboratory diagnostics are required because of the severity of the patient condition. However, if the provider is extravagant in the use of resources, the patient will look severe. Then, too, some of the resources used will depend upon the admitting condition.