The effect of diagnosis-related group payment system on the quality of medical care for pelvic organ prolapse in Korean tertiary hospitals

Purpose To assess changes in clinical practice patterns after implementing diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment system in July 2013 and its effect on the quality of care for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Materials and methods Using the 2011–2016 administrative database from National Health Insurance claim data, we reviewed medical information of 7362 patients who underwent hysterectomies for POP in Korean tertiary hospitals. We compared changes in several variables including length of stay, concomitant procedures, outpatient visits and readmission within 30 days after discharge, and retreatment for POP or stress urinary incontinence within postoperative 1 year before and after DRG system. Results After the introduction of DRG system, the average length of stay decreased (7.74 ± 2.88 to 6.63 ± 2.18 days, p<0.001) without increasing readmission rates. However, the number of outpatient visits increased (2.78±2.33 to 2.98±2.47, p<0.001). Regarding concomitant procedures, the rates of colpopexy and midurethral slings significantly decreased (7.87% and 9.84% to 4.93% and 2.93%, respectively, all p<0.001). Even though there was no difference in the reoperation rates, pessary insertion for recurrent POP significantly increased after the introduction of DRG system (0.10% to 0.38%, p = 0.015). Conclusion The implementation of DRG in Korean tertiary hospitals has led to increase of outpatient visits and reduced surgical management for POP, which indicates that the uniform application of DRG influences the quality of care for POP patients.