[Inadequate reimbursement for surgical patients with Parkinson's disease according to diagnosis-related grouping]. / Inadäquate DRG-Vergütung chirurgischer Patienten mit Morbus Parkinson.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive degenerative disease of the human central nervous system with a demographical increase in surgical patients. Comorbidities are known to increase the perioperative risk profile and therefore amplify treatment expenses. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse whether the reimbursement of additional costs due to PD in surgical patients was sufficiently considered by diagnosis-related grouping (DRG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a period of 13 years, 50 patients suffering from MP treated in the Department of Surgery were retrospectively compared using matched-pair analysis with controls not affected by PD. Both groups of patients were assessed regarding hospital stay and mortality and morbidity with an emphasis on reimbursement by the National Ordinance on Hospital Rates (Bundespflegesatzverordung, BPflV) from 2004 (last year of employment) compared to DRG in 2007. RESULTS: Extra reimbursement for PD patients in comparison to controls diminished from 20 % according to BPflV (2004) to 2 % according to DRG (2007). Within the DRG System of 2007, total compensation for PD and control patients was significantly lower (47 vs. 35 %) compared to the BPflV of 2004. CONCLUSION: Compensation of surgical therapy in PD patients has significantly decreased within the DRG system, not considering the increased perioperative risk profile of these patients. In times of rising economic pressure, inadequate reimbursement of treatment costs bears the risk of rejection or restriction for patients with concomitant PD in spite of medical indications.

[Parkinson's disease influences the perioperative risk profile in trauma patients]. / Der Einfluss des Morbus Parkinson auf das perioperative Risikoprofil unfallchirurgischer Patienten.

AIM: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common degenerative diseases of the central nervous system affecting elderly patients with increasing demographic prevalence. The aim of this study was to define the perioperative risk profile in trauma patients suffering from Parkinson's disease in order to improve treatment options in these patients. METHOD: Over a period of 13 years, 16 patients suffering from Parkinson's disease treated in the department of trauma surgery were retrospectively compared using matched-pair analysis with 16 controls not affected by PD. Both groups of patients were assessed regarding morbidity, length of treatment and rehabilitation. RESULTS: Trauma patients suffering from Parkinson's disease showed an increase in morbidity risk. Postoperative falls occurred significantly, infections of the urinary tract and pneumonia tendentiously more often in PD patients. Postoperative stay and length of treatment were significantly longer in patients with PD. These patients also tended to stay longer preoperatively and remained longer in intensive care. PD patients required on-ward rehabilitation significantly more often. CONCLUSION: Concomitant Parkinson's disease is a significant factor of perioperative morbidity in trauma patients. Perioperative morbidity in PD patients may be influenced by early diagnostic and therapeutic measures.