[Assessment of Coding in German Diagnosis Related Groups System in Otorhinolaryngology]

Prospective analysis of assessment reports in otorhinolaryngology for the period 01-03-2011 to 31-03-2017 by the Health Advisory Boards in Lower Saxony and Bremen, Germany in relation to coding in the G-DRG-System.

The assessment reports were documented using a standardized database system developed on the basis of the electronic data exchange (DTA) by the Health Advisory Board in Lower Saxony. In addition, the documentation of the assessment reports according to the G-DRG system was used for assessment. Furthermore, the assessment of a case was evaluated once again on the basis of the present assessment documents and presented as an example in detail.

During the period from 01-03-2011 to 31-03-2017, a total of 27,424 cases of inpatient assessments of DRGs according to the G-DRG system were collected in the field of otorhinolaryngology. In 7,259 cases, the DRG was changed, and in 20,175 cases, the suspicion of a DRG-relevant coding error was not justified in the review; thus, a DRG change rate of 26% of the assessments was identified over the time period investigated.

There were different kinds of coding errors. In order to improve the coding quality in otorhinolaryngology, in addition to the special consideration of the presented "hit list" by the otorhinolaryngology departments, there should be more intensive cooperation between hospitals and the Health Advisory Boards of the federal states.