The influential American international refereed journal "Hospital Topics" has published a study conducted at Caucasus University titled "The Impact of DRG-Based Payment Reform on the Efficiency of Medical Care for Patients with Myocardial Infarction: Evidence from Georgia."

The study was conducted with the support of the Chapidze Emergency Cardiology Center, with which Caucasus University has maintained a longstanding cooperation, implementing joint scientific research activities.

The authors of the work are:

Tengiz Verulava - Head of the Department of Science and Continuing Education at the Chapidze Emergency Cardiology Center, Academic Doctor of Medicine, Professor at Caucasus University, Director of the Center for Healthcare Policy.

Revaz Jorbenadze - Chapidze Emergency Cardiology Center Executive Director, Doctor of Medicine;

Article Link.

The journal "Hospital Topics" is indexed in the international scientific database SCOPUS. 

Abstract:

In Georgia, a prospective financing system for hospital services using diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) was introduced in 2022. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of DRG-based hospital reimbursement on the efficiency of medical care for patients with myocardial infarction. Hospitalization data from three large hospitals in Georgia before and after the introduction of DRGs, covering the period from 2021 to 2024, were analyzed. The study found that the implementation of DRGs in cardiology hospitals reduced length of stay, readmission, and mortality rates. Although the prices for nosologies have increased, patients’ direct out-of-pocket payments have decreased, thereby improving financial access to medical services. The introduction of the DRG payment system had a positive effect on patient financial accessibility.