[Orthopedic and trauma surgery in the German DRG system. Recent developments].
BACKGROUND
Orthopedics and trauma surgery are subject to continuous medical advancement. The correct and performance-based case allocation by German diagnosis-related groups (G-DRG) is a major challenge. This article analyzes and assesses current developments in orthopedics and trauma surgery in the areas of coding of diagnoses and medical procedures and the development of the 2012 G-DRG system.


METHODS
The relevant diagnoses, medical procedures and G-DRGs in the versions 2011 and 2012 were analyzed based on the publications of the German DRG Institute (InEK) and the German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI).


RESULTS
Changes were made for the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding of complex cases with medical complications, the procedure coding for spinal surgery and for hand and foot surgery. The G-DRG structures were modified for endoprosthetic surgery on ankle, shoulder and elbow joints. The definition of modular structured endoprostheses was clarified.


CONCLUSIONS
The G-DRG system for orthopedic and trauma surgery appears to be largely consolidated. The current phase of the evolution of the G-DRG system is primarily aimed at developing most exact descriptions and definitions of the content and mutual delimitation of operation and procedures coding (OPS). This is an essential prerequisite for a correct and performance-based case allocation in the G-DRG system.
Geschäftsbereich Medizinisches Management - Medizincontrolling, DRG-Research-Group, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Domagkstraße 20, 48129, Münster, Deutschland. dominik.franz@ukmuenster.de
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Selter
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Mahlke
D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends*; D005858:Germany; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends*; D014194:Traumatology / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends*