[On the feasibility of a RUG-III based payment system for long-term care facilities in Korea].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to classify the elderly in long-term care facilities using the Resource Utilization Group(RUG-III) and to examine the feasibility of a payment method based on the RUG-III classification system in Korea.


METHODS
This study measured resident characteristics using a Resident Assessment Instrument-Minimum Data Set(RAI-MDS) and staff time. Data was collected from 530 elderly residents over sixty, residing in long-term care facilities. Resource use for individual patients was measured by a wage-weighted sum of staff time and the total time spent with the patient by nurses, aides, and physiotherapists.


RESULTS
The subjects were classified into 4 groups out of 7 major groups. The group of Clinically Complex was the largest (46.3%), and then Reduced Physical Function(27.2%), Behavior Problems (17.0%), and Impaired Cognition (9.4%) followed. Homogeneity of the RUG-III groups was examined by total coefficient of variation of resource use. The results showed homogeneity of resource use within RUG-III groups. Also, the difference in resource use among RUG major groups was statistically significant (p<0.001), and it also showed a hierarchy pattern as resource use increases in the same RUG group with an increase of severity levels(ADL).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed that the RUG-III classification system differentiates resources provided to elderly in long-term care facilities in Korea.
Kim
Eun-Kyung
EK
School of Nursing, Eulji University, Joong-Gu, Daejeon, Korea. kek@eulji.ac.kr
Park
Ha-Young
HY
Kim
Chang-Yup
CY
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000191:economics*; D010361:Patients / Q000145:classification*; D011445:Prospective Payment System