Identifying an appropriate case mix measure for chronic care: evidence from an Ontario pilot study.

With the move toward rate-based funding for chronic care hospitals, a case mix measure that describes chronic care patients in a valid and reliable manner is needed. A pilot study was done in Ontario to evaluate the effectiveness of three classification systems that have been implemented elsewhere. It was recommended that work continue on the basis that Ontario will implement the Resource Utilization Groups (RUG-III) system for activity measurement and funding of chronic care patients.