Abstract
Objective
To evaluate LOS in developing a concept of borderline ICU LOS for a realistic reimbursement of intensive care.
Design
Retrospective analysis of LOS and cost data extracted from patients’ electronic records.
Setting
Surgical ICU of the University Hospital Göttingen, Germany.
Patients and participants
All adult ICU admissions with LOS >24 h over a 24-month period (1 January 2000 to 31 December 2001; n=1631.)
Interventions
None.
Measurements and results
Cluster analysis partitioned the ICU population into three homogenous groups based on ICU LOS and total direct costs: cluster 1 (n=1405; mean LOS=2.8; mean cost=€2399); cluster 2 (n=190; mean LOS=13.4; mean cost=€12,754); cluster 3 (n=36; mean LOS=34.9; mean cost=€34,173). Cost distribution between cluster 1 and clusters 2 and 3 combined was 48 vs 52%. Upper 95 percentile LOS of 6.7 allowed cluster 1 to be replaced by an LOS profile population of ≤ 7 days population (n=1355; 96% population and 91% total ICU cost overlap with cluster 1) representing 83% of total ICU population and 44% of total ICU costs. Stratification of >7 day population into LOS less than or >20 days (n=220; n=56) were further differentiated by mortality (11 vs 23%) and sepsis incidence (33 vs 79%).
Conclusions
It may be feasible to formulate a LOS-based reimbursement scheme for ICU services in Germany based on the selection of (appropriate) patients’ ICU LOS profiles.
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Acknowledgement
This work was supported by an unrestricted grant from Lilly Deutschland GmbH.
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Neilson, A.R., Moerer, O., Burchardi, H. et al. A new concept for DRG-based reimbursement of services in German intensive care units: results of a pilot study. Intensive Care Med 30, 1220–1223 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-004-2168-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-004-2168-x