1. Direct hospital costs (DHC): This includes allowances for nursing, drugs, medical sundries (dressings etc), meals and linen, but not secretarial time. Rates were calculated by the unit accountant for the seven day wards and for the PIU. The DHC method allows a rough calculation of money actually saved if patients are not admitted and is particularly affected by the bed occupancy rate because of relatively fixed overheads such as nursing costs. Comparisons of DHC estimates were therefore made a) using the actual bed occupancy rate (PIU 54%, other wards 75%) and b) using projected costs for a 75% occupancy rate for all wards, including the PIU. Costs incurred in the radiography department were fixed at £72-37 per myelogram as in 1986, to include materials used, capital depreciation and paramedical staff costs. The costs of buildings and services, medical staff time and paramedical overtime payments were not included in this section
2. Blumhardt LD. A prospective audit of the use and costs of myelography in a regional neuroscience unit;Sandercock, P.A.G.; Roberts, M.A.;J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry,1989