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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research Article

Is the timing of radiological intervention and treatment day associated with economic outcomes in DRG-financed health care systems: a case study

Authors: Christoph Napierala, Stefan Boes

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

In 2012, Switzerland has introduced a diagnosis related group (DRG) system for hospital financing to increase the efficiency and transparency of hospital services and to reduce costs. However, little is known about the efficiency of specific processes within hospitals. The objective of this study is to describe the relationship between timing of radiological interventions, in particular scan and treatment day, and the length of stay (LOS) compliance in a hospital.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional observational study based on administrative records of all DRG cases in a Swiss university hospital in 2013, enriched by data from the radiology information system and accounting details. The data are analysed using descriptive statistics and regression methods.

Results

Radiology and related treatment on a weekend is associated with a higher LOS compliance of approximately 22.12% (p<0.01) compared to scans and treatments on weekdays, controlling for gender, age and insurance of the patient, as well as detailed medical and radiology-related factors. The higher LOS compliance is driven by emergency cases, which supports the hypothesis that for those cases on weekends more efficient scan and treatment processes are in place.

Conclusion

The study provides evidence on how days of radiological intervention are related to LOS compliance in a Swiss hospital under DRG and attempts to explain how this is linked to standardised operating procedures. Our results have implications regarding potential cost savings in hospital care through alignment of care processes, infrastructure planning and guidance of patient flows.
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Metadata
Title
Is the timing of radiological intervention and treatment day associated with economic outcomes in DRG-financed health care systems: a case study
Authors
Christoph Napierala
Stefan Boes
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2055-0

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