There are a number of Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) classification systems that have evolved over the past 2 decades, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. DRG systems are used for case-mix trending, utilization management and quality improvement, comparative reporting, prospective payment, and price negotiations. For any of these applications it is essential to know the accuracy with w...

Introduction The DRG system is based on the list of MDCs (Main Diagnosis Categories) defined on the basis of the principal diagnosis. At the same time, the surgical procedure is typically accepted in one or more MDCs. Thus, the cases with the same procedure code can be assigned to different DRGs depending on the principal diagnoses. In the NordDRG system, some DRGs (error DRGs) are reserved for...

Introduction Healthcare systems in the early 1970s, the so called 'golden age' of the welfare state, came much closer to what we characterize as distinct ideal types: the Private Insurance System, the Social Insurance System and the National Health Service (NHS). During the past decades, as a consequence of problem pressure caused, for example, by globalization and demographic change, healthcar...

Neuropathic cancer pain is caused by tumors compressing the spinal nerve roots and is usually difficult to treat. The aim of current study was to determine the influence of NGF antibody on pain-related markers and behavior in a mouse model of neuropathic cancer pain. Twenty mice were used to model neuropathic cancer pain by applying murine sarcoma cells to their left sciatic nerve. Ten mice wer...

BackgroundLaparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a common procedure for cholelithiasis paid by diagnostic-related groups (DRGs) systems. However, acute cholecystitis (AC) patients usually have heterogeneous conditions that compromise the successful implementation of DRGs. We evaluated quality/efficiency treating AC under DRG system in Taiwan.MethodsAll who underwent LC between October 2015 and De...

Several groups have reported apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells as a prominent feature of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), although this has been controversial. Here, we examined subacute (4-month) type 1 diabetic BB/Wor rats with respect to sensory nerve functions, DRG and sural nerve morphometry, pro- and antiapoptotic proteins, and the expression of neurotrophic factors and their re...

We obtained data on hospital length of stay (LOS) and total laboratory charges for Medicare patients admitted to 82 hospitals in Massachusetts during 1994. Five Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) were selected: surviving acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with, and without, complications; AMI with death; angina pectoris; and chest pain. The hospitals were grouped according to their laboratory polic...

Prospective payments systems (diagnosis-related groups, DRG) to reimburse hospital inpatient care became very popular two decades ago (Ellis and McGuire, 1993). DRGs, however, may incentivize dishonest provider behavior, like inappropriately early discharge of patients, withholding of (necessary) diagnostics and therapies, cream-skimming of low-cost patients or coding of patients into groups wi...

BACKGROUND Many studies have demonstrated a rise in computed tomography (CT) utilization in abstract children's hospitals. However, CT utilization may be declining, perhaps due to awareness of potential hazards of pediatric ionizing radiation, such as increased risk of malignancy. Th e objective is to assess the trend in CT utilization in hospitalized children at freestanding children's hospita...

BACKGROUND Given limited health sources, how to make DRGs (Diagnosis Related Groups) more feasible is a big question in developing countries. This study contributes to the debate on how to bridge the pay-for-service and DRGs during the transitional period of payment reform. METHODS From 2008 to 2012, 20740 patients with cirrhosis or duodenal ulcer disease were chosen as sample. Using multiple...