Introduction of internationally accepted Diagnosis-Related Groups methodology in Russia as a factor of increasing effectiveness of hospitals
The article discusses factors which impede rational use of financial resources allocated for health care system needs, including absence of differentiation of hospitals by intensiveness and complexity of treatment and by its costs, as well as lack of standardized methodology for calculatign of cost of medical care. The author assesses the impact of diagnosis-related groups (DRG) patient classification system implementation. Using Irkutsk region as an example the author summarizes the results of pilot use of DRG for assessing medical treatment costs. The article also considers the use of DRG as a methodological guidance for evaluating population needs in specific in-patient treatments as well as for restructuring of hospitals.