Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft
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Patients with penetrating eye injuries are a very heterogeneous group both medically and economically. Since 2009, treatment involving sutures for open eye injuries and cases requiring amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) were allocated to DRG C01B of the German diagnosis-related group system. However, given the significant clinical differences between these treatments, an inhomogeneity of costs to performance is postulated. This analysis describes case allocation problems within the G-DRG C01B category and presents solutions. ⋯ The quality of the G-DRG system is measured by its ability to obtain adequate funding for highly complex and heterogeneous cases. Specific modifications of the G-DRG structures could increase the appropriateness of case allocation for patients with open eye injuries within the G-DRG C01B of the German DRG system 2009. As a result of the present study, cases with amniotic membrane transplantation should not be allocated to the G-DRG C01B. A petition has been presented by the German Association of Ophthalmology (DOG) to the German DRG Institute to restructure the G-DRG C01B. Data-based analysis is an essential prerequisite for a constructive development of the G-DRG system and a necessary tool for the active participation of medical societies in this process.
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Smartphones offer a number of so-called medical and ophthalmic "apps" and their use will be investigated in this survey. ⋯ The increasing distribution of Smartphone "apps" in ophthalmology may have the potential to facilitate patient treatment, data management and communication.