Casemix funding in psychiatry:Some problems and common pitfalls

Abstract

The aims of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of AN-DRG version 2.0 codings.Ninety-two separations, covering three of the most commonly occurring AN-DRGsin psychiatry, were reviewed by a psychiatrist. The AN-DRG diagnosis was thencompared to that given by morbidity coders. There was agreement for 69 (79- per cent)separations and disagreement for 18 (21- per cent) separations. Recoding of the 18separations altered average length of stay data and the funding received. The high errorrate of coding stimulated changes to the training of morbidity coders and registrars.