Inpatient transfer episodes among aged Medicare beneficiaries.
Examination of data derived from Medicare provider analysis and review (MEDPAR) discharge records for 152,337 transfer episodes of aged Medicare beneficiaries indicates that aged Medicare transfer patients have initial stays comparable to non-transfers in terms of length of stay, case-mix intensity, and total charges. During the final part of the transfer episode, however, transfers are clearly more intense cases than non-transfers. Patients treated for stroke or cardiovascular conditions are more likely to be transferred than other Medicare aged inpatients. The transfer episodes examined appear to reflect clinical considerations based primarily on patient need for specialized care.
Buczko
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Health Care Financing Administration, Baltimore, MD 21207.
D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017050:Episode of Care; D006302:Health Services Research; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016344:Medicare Part A / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016311:Outliers, DRG / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011445:Prospective Payment System / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States