Nursing care requirements as measured by DRG

Unless nurses describe and quantify their contribution to patient care, their financial solvency is seriously threatened under DRG reimbursement. Results of a study that quantified the nursing care of two DRGs using a patient classification system are presented. A description of how one nursing department plans to use this system on a hospital-wide scale is discussed. This information gives nurse administrators an objective means for appropriation of funds, projection of staffing needs, and ultimately, a means of earning revenue.