• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.23-35
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• 2017

Objectives : This study analyzed the trends of patient costs in 7diagnosis-related groups(DRG) since July 2013 when the government made it mandatory for all hospitals and clinics. Methods : Data were collected from the 7DRG score chart published by the Ministry of Health and Welfare(MoHW) from July 2013 to January 2017. The average value of the weekday relative value scale was multiplied by unit price, referred to as'- "patient costs by disease group"-' and they were analyzed by time series. Results : Patient costs had increased among all patients with a comprehensive disease. Small and medium-sized hospitals (hospitals and clinics) showed a slight increase in patient costs. Conclusions : Enforcement of the Korean diagnosis-related groups has led to management crisis in small and medium-sized hospitals and deterioration medical service quality. To solve this problem, The weekday relative value scale of small and medium-sized hospitals should be increased significantly.