A new international trend of hospital payment system and diagnosis procedure combination in Japan

with special reference to DPC critical path

Abstract

Comparing insurance payment systems internationally, the roles of critical path were reviewed. Also we discussed critical path in Japan, correlating to DPC (Diagnosis Procedure Combination), which was payment system introduced into university hospital since April 2003. Corresponding to DPC, the following three points were discussed: Classification of critical path according to DPC, the length of stay and cost management. We should start to prepare for DPC, before it would be expanding to other acute hospital.