Introducing DRGs as an Instrument for Clinical Management

The case focuses on the use of DRGs in Costa Rica from the original motivation to use them, the implementation steps, the difficulties found and how they were addressed. The case describes the changes that occurred as a result of DRG introduction, and how the ?perverse incentives? were managed. The emphasis is on the lessons learnt in order to define the following implementation steps. The DRG system can be a useful tool to better organizing medical resources, planning and setting up standardized protocols, all of which are all important stewardship functions of the MOH. The case discusses how to go about its implementation, in a sense that it really serves these functions.