RUG-III for exploring the association between staffing levels and cost-efficiency in nursing facility care in Finland.
The current health policy of the Finnish government with regard to the production of health services strongly emphasizes productivity and efficiency. On the other hand, the staff generally demand better staffing for nursing facility care. This study incorporates the Resource Utilization Groups (RUG-III) in the calculation of the staffing levels and cost-efficiency and explores the association between cost-efficiency and staff levels in nursing facility care in Finland. The results indicate an improvement potential in case-mix-based staffing. Existing labor resources can be used more fairly and effectively while cost-efficiency differences can be diminished by applying the RUG-III for the allocation of the staff.
Laine
Juha
J
Centre for Health Economics at STAKESCHESS, Finland. juha.laine@stakes.fi
D019985:Benchmarking; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D005387:Finland; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000191:economics*; D009313:National Health Programs; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000191:economics*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities / Q000191:economics*