Using Australian DRGs in Germany: a commentary.

The Australian DRG classification: are we ready for structural changes?

The Australian DRG variant (Australian National DRGs from versions 1 to 3, and Australian Refined DRGs thereafter) compares favourably with other variants in use around the world. This view is supported by a variety of empirical studies (see for example Reid, Palmer & Aisbett 2000) and by experiences of its adoption by several health care systems. An example is its recent selection for use in G...

Building a star alliance: Australian and German DRGs.

In 2000, Germany selected the Australian DRG system as a base for a national standard German version (now called German DRGs, or simply G-DRGs). No serious consideration has been given thus far to major changes in the classification, because there are many practical issues that must be addressed within a short time-scale, given the German federal government’s requirement that per case payment b...

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”

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 ...

Detection and documentation of DRG-relevant comorbidities using laboratory tests.

Germany will soon begin per case payment by DRG, and preparations are in progress in most hospitals and insurance companies. The Academic Teaching Hospital Munich-Schwabing in Munich decided to explore coding strategies by considering the impact of diagnoses that could be detected by pathology tests. An Australian database was analysed. We detected "discriminating" diagnoses--that is, diagnoses...

Common DRG System - the Future of Europe? A Response to Recent Commentary