Study on the effects of the diagnosis-related group system on cost control in gastric malignant tumor based on propensity score matching

Abstract

Background: The study design evaluates the effects of the diagnosis-related group (DRG) system on the hospitalization expenses of patients with gastric malignancies in China and suggests measures to better control hospitalization expenses and reasonably apply the DRG system. Methods: The inpatient information of patients with gastric malignant tumors was collected; descriptive statistical analysis, propensity score matching, rank sum test, and other statistical methods were performed; differences in covariates between cases were determined, and the effect of DRG on cost control was analyzed. Result: Significant differences in age (p < 0.001), the average hospitalization duration (p < 0.001), and the presence or absence of surgical interventions (p = 0.003) were observed the DRG and non-DRG groups. After matching, these differences became insignificant (p > 0.05). The DRG system had a significant effect on controlling the hospitalization expenses of patients with gastric malignant tumors (p < 0.001). Simultaneously, no significant difference in the discharge situation was observed between the DRG and non-DRG groups (p = 0.202). Conclusions: The DRG system can help effectively control the hospitalization expenses of patients with gastric malignant tumors. We must accelerate the reform of the DRG system and continuously improve medical insurance policies to optimize resource allocation.