For the evaluation of the adequacy of the DPC score, DPC data of 2,598 neonatal patients were analyzed. These data were obtained from neonates discharged from seven sick children’s hospitals in Japan in the period between Apr. 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013. Though total DPC scores surpassed total fee-for-service payment by 3.4%, they were less in such cases as following: 1) a part of inpatients in NICU, 2) neonates weighing over 2,500 g, 3) seriously-ill neonates. In conclusion, the DPC score applied to the treatment of neonates should be elaborated and revised based on a detailed analysis of the clinical data.
