Analysis of Nursing Care Hours in Selected Diagnostic Related Groups Using Patient Classification System Methodology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore if Patient Classification System (PCS) methodology provides reliable information which can be used to identify differences in resources e within specific DRGs. This descriptive study utilized t -tests , standard deviation s and product-moment correlations to examine the variability of mean Nursing Care Hours (NCH) and Length of Stay (KDS) and to determine if any relationship existed between these two variables fo r 227 s u b je c ts in fo u r DRGs a t two study sites . A significant difference in mean Nursing Care Hours between sites was noted for DRG #14 (CVA), which a ls o displayed the greatest amount of variability in NCH. Acute MI, DRG #122 was the only DRG which had a significant correlation between LOS and NCH. This study adds to the literature which suggests that the use o f PCS methodology is a valid and reliable framework for identification of nursing resource use with in DRGs.