The impact of diagnosis related group payment on the performance of public hospitals.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the practical value of diagnosis related groups (DRGs) according to payment for assessing the performance of public hospitals. METHODS: According to a random number table, 2400 patients were chosen from 3928 inpatients admitted for treatment in our hospital. Based on nodes implemented in the DRGs, these patients were assigned to the control group and the experimental group (1200 patients in each group). In the control group, patients didn't receive assistance with DRG payment (a clinical performance management approach was carried out based on the type of disease and cost), while patients in the experimental group received DRG. Bed turnover rate, hospitalization time, average cost, mortality, and subjective satisfaction were obtained and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, bed turnover rate, hospitalization time, average cost, and mortality in the experimental group were all significantly decreased (P<0.05), while subjective satisfaction was increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: DRG payment is beneficial for reduced clinical hospitalization time, cost, and mortality, and improved bed utilization rate and subjective satisfaction, which is worthy of clinical promotion.