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.
