title: [Diagnosis related groups in stroke treatment. An analysis from the stroke data bank of the German Stroke Foundation].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The upcoming introduction of diagnosis related groups (DRG) as an exclusive base for future calculation of hospital proceeds in Germany requires a thorough analysis of cost data for various diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the resulting combined cost weights of the Australian Refined DRG system (AR-DRG) with the proceeds based on actual per-day rates in stroke treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1998 and 1999, data from 6520 patients (median age 68 years, 43% women) with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) were prospectively documented in 15 departments of Neurology with an acute stroke unit, 9 departments of general Neurology and 6 departments of Internal Medicine. Prior to grouping cases into DRGs, all available data were transferred into ICD-10-SGB-V 2.0 or the Australian procedure system (MBS-Extended). Hospital proceeds for the respective cases were calculated based on per-day rates of the documenting hospitals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The resulting cost weights demonstrate a good homogeneity compared to the length of stay. When introducing the AR-DRG with a uniform base rate in Germany, a relative decrease of hospital proceeds can be expected in Neurology Departments and for treatment of TIAs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preservation of the existing structure of acute stroke care in Germany requires a supplement to a uniform base rate in Neurology departments.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Klinik, Universität Essen. stroke.med@uni-essen.de
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weimar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stausberg
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kraywinkel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Busse
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Haberl
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Diener
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease / Q000191:economics; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome