Heterogeneity of European DRG Systems and Potentials for a Common Eurodrg System; Comment on “Cholecystectomy and Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs): Patient Classification and Hospital Reimbursement in 11 European Countries”

Document Type : Commentary

Authors

Department of Health Care Management, Berlin University of Technology, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) systems across Europe are very heterogeneous, in particular because of different classification variables and algorithms as well as costing methodologies. But, given the challenge of increasing patient mobility within Europe, health systems are forced to incorporate a common patient classification language in order to compare and identify similar patients e.g. for reimbursement purposes. Beside the national adoption of DRGs for a wide range of purposes (measuring hospital activity vs. paying hospitals), a common DRG system can serve as an international communication basis among health administrators and can reduce the national development efforts as it is demonstrated by the NordDRG consortium.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. Paat-Ahi G, Aaviksoo A, Świderek M. Cholecystectomy and Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs): patient classification and hospital reimbursement in 11 European countries. Int J Health Policy Manag 2014; 7: 383-91. doi: 10.15171/ijhpm.2014.121
  2. Quentin W, Scheller-Kreinsen D, Geissler A, Busse R. Appendectomy and Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs): Patient Classification and Hospital Reimbursement in 11 European Countries. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2012; 397: 317-26. doi: 10.1007/s00423-011-0877-5
  3. Quentin W, Rätto H, Peltola M, Busse R, Häkkinen U. Acute Myocardial Infarction and Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs): Patient Classification and Hospital Reimbursement in 11 European countries. Eur Heart J 2013; 34: 1972-81. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehs482
  4. Peltola M, Quentin W. Diagnosis-related groups for stroke in Europe: patient classification and hospital reimbursement in 11 countries. Cerebrovasc Dis 2013; 35: 113-23.
  5. Scheller-Kreinsen D, Quentin W, Geissler A, Busse R. Breast cancer surgery and Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs): Patient Classification and Hospital Reimbursement in 11 European countries. Breast 2013; 22: 723-32. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2012.11.001
  6. Serdén L, O’Reilly J. Patient classification and hospital reimbursement for inguinal hernia repair: a comparison across 11 European countries. Hernia 2014; 18: 273-81. doi: 10.1007/s10029-013-1158-8
  7. Tan SS, Geissler A, Serdén L, Heurgren M, van Ineveld BM, Redekop WK, et al. DRG systems in Europe: variations in cost accounting systems among 12 countries. Eur J Public Health 2014; 24: 1023-8. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/cku025
  8. Palmer KS, Agoritsas T, Martin D, Scott T, Mulla SM, Miller AP, et al. Activity-Based Funding of Hospitals and Its Impact on Mortality, Readmission, Discharge Destination, Severity of Illness, and Volume of Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One 2014; 9: e109975. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109975
  9. Geissler A, Quentin W, Scheller-Kreinsen D, Busse R. Introduction to DRGs in Europe: common objectives across different hospital systems. In: Busse R, Geissler A, Quentin W, Wiley MM, editors. Diagnosis Related Groups in Europe: Moving Towards Transparency, Efficiency and Quality in Hospitals? Maidenhead: Open University Press; 2011.
  10. Busse R, Geissler A, Aaviksoo A, Cots F, Häkkinen U, Kobel C, et al. Diagnosis related groups in Europe: moving towards transparency, efficiency, and quality in hospitals? BMJ 2013; 346: f3197. doi: 10.1136/bmj.f3197
  11. Kobel C, Thuillez J, Bellanger MM, Aavikso A, Pfeiffer K. Diagnosis related group (DRG) systems and similar Patient Classification Systems in Europe. In: Busse R, Geissler A, Quentin W, Wiley MM, editors. Diagnosis related groups in Europe: moving towards transparency, efficiency and quality in hospitals? Maidenhead: Open University Press; 2011.
  12. Linna M, Virtanen M. NordDRG: The benefits of coordination. In: Busse R, Geissler A, Quentin W, Wiley MM, editors. Diagnosis related groups in Europe: moving towards transparency, efficiency and quality in hospitals? Maidenhead: Open University Press; 2011.

 

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 29 January 2015
  • Revise Date: 05 March 2015
  • Accept Date: 03 March 2015
  • First Publish Date: 01 May 2015

Share

How to cite

Statistics