Table 2 Measurement and valuation of defined outcomes by perspective and type of analysis

QALY

Incremental Quality-Adjusted Life Year at 12 months

-0.661 to +1; -0.661=worst possible outcome +1=best possible health state

EQ-5D-5L questionnaire at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months post-surgery; weighting of each measurement by 3/12

German Valuation Set [35]; death valued U=0; weighting of each U by 3/12

S

LCD

Probability of worsening of the Level of Care Dependency at least by one level between pre-intervention and 12 months post-surgery

1=worsening, 0=no change or improvement

Measured by the German New Assessment Tool of Care Dependency (NBI) by the research team of the study, the scale between 0 and 100 points is translated by rules of NBI into a 6 levels of care dependency: level 0 = no dependency, level 5 = full dependency

NBI [36]; 5=dead; difference in levels between 12 months and pre-intervention

S, SHI

WHO-DAS 2.0

Incremental degree of disability at 12 months

0-100; 100= full disability

WHO Disability Assessment Schedule questionnaire - WHODAS 2.0 12-items, in the past 30 days

WHODAS 2.0 [37]

S

LOS

Incremental length of hospital stay post-surgery

Days

Hospital billing dataset, § 301 para. 3 SGB V, § 21 KHEntgG, provided by hospitals

date of discharge - date of admission + 1

P

ICU

Incremental length of stay in ICU at discharge

Days

Hospital billing dataset, § 301 para. 3 SGB V, § 21 KHEntgG, provided by hospitals

as reported

P

COMP

Overall value of complications at discharge

0-100; 100=death

Secondary diagnoses, ICU stay, reported in hospital billing dataset, § 301 para. 3 SGB V, § 21 KHEntgG, provided by hospitals

Clavien-Dindo classification [38, 39], Comprehensive Complication Index [40,41,42]

P