[Clinical and economical analysis as a basis of adjustment of hospital departments. 3. Comparison with the DRG system].
The American DRG system (diagnosis-related group system) is compared in this study with a Danish clinical economical analysis instrument which has been developed for assessment of quality at hospital departmental level. The expenses calculated on the basis of costs of hospitalization from an unselected patient material are compared with the American DRG expense assessments. Considerable differences were found between the two expense assessments. Scatter in the assessments is great in the majority of groups. It is concluded that the American DRG system including expense assessments is scarcely suitable for Danish conditions although inspiration may be gained from the ideas behind the DRG system. The DRG system cannot be employed at hospital/departmental level. Other methods of analysis are available which are probably more suited as aids in assessing quality at this level.