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[Examples and proposed solutions for methodological problems in hospital appropriateness assessment]
1Bayerischer Forschungsverbund Public Health-Offentliche Gesundheit, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband Der Arzte Des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany))
|August 3, 1999
Summary
Current methods for assessing hospital care appropriateness in Germany are insufficient for valid conclusions. While inappropriate use is likely, existing tools cannot confirm it, necessitating methodological improvements.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Epidemiology
- Biometry
Context:
- Increased appropriateness assessments by the medical service of health insurers (MDK) nationwide since 1997.
- Growing concerns regarding inappropriate hospital care following a 1997 model project (Section 275 a SGB V).
Purpose:
- To evaluate current German methodologies for assessing hospital care appropriateness against international scientific standards.
- To identify fundamental flaws in existing assessment methods and propose improvements.
Summary:
- A thorough scientific examination revealed that current methods used in Germany are insufficient for validly concluding inappropriate hospital admissions or days.
- Despite the likelihood of inappropriate hospital use, existing assessment tools lack the necessary validity for definitive conclusions.
Impact:
- Highlights the need for revised methodologies in health services research to accurately assess hospital care appropriateness.
- Aims to improve the reliability and validity of future assessments, ensuring more accurate conclusions on hospital utilization.