Citation

Lotter O, Jaminet P, Amr A, Chiarello P, Schaller HE, Rahmanian-Schwarz A. Burns 2011; 37(7): 1109-1116.

Affiliation

Clinic for Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, BG Trauma Center, Eberhard-Karls-University, Tuebingen, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.burns.2011.05.002

PMID

21726952

Abstract

PURPOSE: To analyze the German, Austrian, Italian and Spanish Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG)-systems regarding burns. METHODS: We analyzed 78 cases of inpatients with burns which were processed by national DRG-groupers. DRGs were linked to thresholds concerning length of stay as well as reimbursement tables of the respective countries. MAIN FINDINGS: Fifty-one % of cases showed higher reimbursement in Germany compared to Austria, 55% compared to Italy and 67% as against Spain. Total proceeds are highest in Austria with 1577000 €, followed by Italy with 1569000 €, Germany with 1502000 € and Spain with 902596 €. No correlation was found between macroeconomic key figures and our data. CONCLUSIONS: International comparison of reimbursement of burns by DRG could be a useful instrument for benchmarking while not depending solely on political decisions or country-specific cost data. For better comparability, hospital indices based on healthcare baskets should be discussed.

Language: en