DRGs and prospective payment: an introduction to the issues facing clinical engineering programs

DRGs--these letters, spoken as frequently as they now are, may sound familiar and perhaps even sinister. They have rapidly become the driving force of the health care system. Medicare is the largest purchaser of health care and has engineered a financing program based upon DRGs. Since other insurers are joining the program, the health care industry, along with its suppliers and clients, will never again be treated as it was in the past. As participants in the system, our work and our careers will also be changed. Yet, as with any change, there will be opportunities to acquire knowledge, to grow professionally, and to contribute to society. If hospitals are to provide quality care in a cost-effective and efficient manner, it will be both because of and in spite of technology. The appropriate selection, use, and maintenance of technology is an intrinsic part of the system. The clinical engineer's role will be to contribute technical and managerial expertise in support of the institution--in other words, in the management of technology.