Which phrase refers to data on patient diversity and resource use?

• A. Risk adjusted outcomes
• B. Patient case-mix characteristics
• C. Home Health Compare
• D. Inpatient admission

Answer: (B)

Patient case-mix characteristics describe the variety of patients served—differences in diagnoses, functional status, and comorbidities—and how that mix influences the amount of care and resources used. This data captures both patient diversity and the expected resource use, making it the best fit. Risk adjusted outcomes relate to adjusting results for this mix, but the phrase asked specifically points to the data describing the mix itself. Home Health Compare is about public performance data, not the descriptive mix, and an inpatient admission is a single event, not a representation of overall patient diversity and resource use.