RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS AND COSTS OF NURSING SERVICES FOR PATIENTS IN SELECTED DIAGNOSTIC RELATED GROUP CATEGORIES.
Contributors: University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Published: 1985
Number of pages: 198
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: In order to address the issue of the relationship between levels of patient acuity, costs of nursing services, and Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) categories, the following research was conducted. The purpose of this study was to describe the length of stay and the amount and costs of nursing services required by patients in selected DRG categories. The theoretical framework for this study was General Systems Theory.

A stratified random sampling method was used to establish the sample. The sample consisted of 232 cases discharged with a diagnosis that was among the DRG categories studied.

The instrument used for data collection was the Medicus Patient Classification Tool. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data in order to answer the questions. Based on the analyzed data, the findings revealed a variation in length of stay, acuity, hours of nursing care required, and costs of nursing services provided for cases within and among each DRG category studied.

From the findings of the study, it can be concluded that the kind and amount of nursing resources required, among the DRG categories studied, were heterogeneous. Thus, the per diem method of allocating costs of nursing resources is not reflective of the costs of resources required by cases within the DRG categories. However, a nursing patient classification system, in conjuction with a DRG classification system, provides a more descriptive model for determining nursing resource usage than either system independently. Such a model allows nursing resource usage to be translated into direct, indirect, and total nursing costs.

It is recommended that the study methodology be computerized in order to collect longitudinal data on all DRG categories. Further study is needed to evaluate resource requirements, costs, and standards of nursing practice according to levels of quality care provided, and to develop a standardized approach for cost accounting within nursing. It is further recommended that Medicare adopt a reallocation model for reimbursement under the Prospective Payment System which reflects the various nursing resource requirements of cases by DRG.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-02, Section: B, page: 0574.

Thesis (D.S.N.)--UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, 1985.

School code: 0005.