The effects of DRGs and cost-containment: assessment by hospital pharmacy directors.
With the advent of prospective reimbursement, cost containment has increasingly come into focus. Arizona hospital pharmacy directors were surveyed to learn what effect DRG-based payments and other capitation programs have had on their pharmacy department and hospital. Their responses concerning effects on staffing and services are outlined. Descriptions of successful and unsuccessful cost-containing measures are provided, and pharmacists' perceptions of the effect of DRGs and the problems they see with cost containment are detailed. It is evident that P & T Committees will play an ever-increasing role as an important interface with hospital staff in resolving many cost-containment issues.
D001130:Arizona; D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods*; D003625:Data Collection; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000191:economics*; D010605:Pharmacy Administration; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics*