DRGs made easy | |
Casemix, DRGs, and clinical coding. Cardiovascular medicine and surgery. A guide for clinicians and clinical coders. National Centre for Classification in Health. Sydney: National Centre for Classification in Health 1997 (vi + 62 pp.). ISBN: 0 642 28052 5. |
Casemix-based funding of public hospitals is now a reality in most States of Australia and may also soon be introduced in private hospitals. Despite its importance, most physicians have only a cursory understanding of how the system works. For many, the complex terminology which is such an integral part of casemix is simply a barrier to understanding.
For those cardiovascular physicians and surgeons who consider themselves in this category, this small book, published by the National Centre for Classification in Health and produced with the assistance of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services, will be a valuable aid. In clear and concise terms it explains the coding system which is the basis for casemix and discusses common problem areas in clinical documentation and coding. Undoubtedly, thousands of dollars are lost to our public hospitals because of inaccurate and incomplete coding. At a cost of only $10.00 this book should help redress this balance. I recommend the book to heads of departments, business managers, nursing unit managers, clinical coders and to anyone who has an influence or an interest in hospital budgets. Richard W Harper |