The development of cost information by DRG--experience in a Barcelona hospital

The determination of hospital patient costing adjusted by case-mix is one of the possible applications arising from the emergence of patient classification systems, such as Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs). Most of the experiences up until now have given priority to the determination of the total costs by DRG, making it difficult to establish comparisons between hospitals. In this article, results of an experience in Barcelona with a direct patient costing model are presented, with these later being grouped into DRGs. Descriptive information is given together with statistical analysis of the intra-DRG variability and the relationship between costs and the length of stay. Patient costing systems represent a useful instrument for hospital management as they allow analyzing variation and its reasons at DRG level. It is in fact the primary level of information required in order to develop management control in hospitals.