Siriraj Medical Journal (Sep 2015)

Adopting Thai Diagnosis Related Group for Vietnam Universal Health Coverage: A Case of Ba Vi District Hospital

  • Pham Le Tuan, M.D., Ph.D.,
  • Vu Thanh Nam, M.D., MIT.,
  • Tham Chi Dung, M.D., Ph.D.,
  • Cao Ngoc Anh, MBA.,
  • Nguyen Thi Huong, M.D., MPH.,
  • Nguyen Nam Lien, MBA.,
  • Chairoj Zungsontiporn, M.D.,
  • Orathai Khioacharoen, Ph.D.,
  • Supasit Pannarunothai, M.D., Ph.D.

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 67, no. 5
pp. 227 – 234

Abstract

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Objective: This studyaimedtoclassifyallhospitaldischargescoveredbyhealthinsurancesystem intodiagnosis relatedgroup (DRG) to guideproviderpayment reforms of universalhealth coverage roadmap in Vietnam. Methods: Data from Ba Vi hospital from January to December 2012 were grouped into DRGs by Viet-DRG grouperversion1.0developedbasedon Thai-DRG version5methodologies. ThePearsoncorrelation(r) wasused to assess the performance of Viet-DRG grouper as against Thai-DRG grouper. A 5-step trimming of individual inpatientdata to achieve thehighest correlations was performed. Results: Dataof12,220inpatientcases wereanalyzedbybothgroupers,84.4% of totalcases wereclassifiedinto 89 DRGs. Thefive mostcommon DRGs werevaginaldelivery withoutcomplicatingdiagnosis (14500); Respira- tory infection/inflammation, no complication and comorbidity (04520); Otitis media and URI, no complication andcomorbidity(03530); Viral illnessexceptdengue,child,nocomplicationandcomorbidity(18610); Bronchitis and asthma, no complication and comorbidity (04590). The performance of Viet-DRG grouper v1.0 compared with Thai-DRG grouper v5.0for 89 DRGs intermsof relative weights as of 0.4 andlength of stay as of 0.5. Conclusion: Validity of thefirst Viet-DRG was at moderate level compared to Thai-DRG due to the limitation ofdata availability andqualityat thehospital.

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