European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology
-
Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · May 2013
ReviewChildbirth and Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs): patient classification and hospital reimbursement in 11 European countries.
The study compares how Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) based hospital payment systems in eleven European countries (Austria, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden) deal with women giving birth in hospitals. It aims to assist gynaecologists and national authorities in optimizing their DRG systems. ⋯ Differences in the classification of hospital childbirth cases into DRGs raise concerns whether European systems rely on the most appropriate classification variables. Physicians, hospitals and national DRG authorities should consider how other countries' DRG systems classify cases to optimize their system and to ensure fair and appropriate reimbursement.
-
Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · May 2013
ReviewCurrent obstetric guidelines on thromboprophylaxis in the United Kingdom: evidence based medicine?
In the United Kingdom, the national guidance from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) encourages the use of low molecular weight heparin thromboprophylaxis in high risk pregnancies. The recommendation, however, is based largely on expert opinion with almost no evidence from randomised controlled trials or meta-analyses. ⋯ Therefore, large-scale and well-designed studies are urgently needed. We find that health economic assessments, which should be central to any major health policy change, appear entirely absent in this context.