The potential impact of diagnosis related group medical management on hospital utilization and profitability.

The potential impact of a proposed diagnosis related group (DRG) medical management model on hospital utilization and profitability was studied. The frequency and variable rates of hospitalization for patients with medical back problems, along with the myriad of diagnoses included in this DRG 243, made these patients an appropriate group to study and presented an excellent opportunity for assessing the potential impact of more effective and efficient DRG medical management.