Research on the Effect of the DRG Payment Reform on the Structure of Average Hospitalization Expenses in County Public Hospitals

Sun Jiaqian; Huang Jiayan; Liu Hongzhang; Liang Di; Luo Yongsong

Abstract：Objective To analyze the effect of DRG payment reform on the average expenses of hospitalization in county public hospitals,and to provide evidence and policy recommendations for the promotion and implementation of this policy in the county.Methods Medical record home page of inpatients in all comprehensive public hospitals in Yuhuan County,Zhejiang Province,were collected from 2017 to 2022,and the changes in the structure of average hospitalization expenses before and after the reform were compared through the descriptive analysis,Degree of Structure Variation analysis and Interrupted Time Series analysis.Results The annual Value of Structure Variation (VSV) of medical service expense increased from 1.21％ to 1.49％,accounting for the increase in the positive change of the proportion;the deceleration of the drug expenses slowed down (P<0.05),with the annual VSV increasing from-2.96％ to-2.96％,accounting for a decrease in the magnitude of the negative change in the ratio;the trend of growth in the expenses of consumables ceased (P<0.05),and the annual VSV decreased from 1.98％to 1.30％,accounting for a decrease in the magnitude of the positive change in the ratio.Conclusion The DRG payment reform can enhance the structure of average inpatient expenses in county-level public hospitals,resulting in an increased proportion of medical service expenses.It is advisable to prioritize the valuation of technological labor services,control the growth of consumables expenses,and strengthen the establishment of DRG performance evaluation mechanisms,as well as quality supervision mechanisms for medical services.