The Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) has been utilized at St. Luke's International Hospital since July, 2006. One of the most important issues for hospital management in the case of the DPC is the balance between standardization of and earnings from the medical treatment. We conducted a simulation that compares the economic balance in the DPC to that in the fee-for-service system using the Clinical pathway for Gefitinib, a treatment agent for lung cancer, at the respiratory department of St. Luke's international hospital. Furthermore, we evaluated the economic balance by calculating the DPC/ fee-for-service system ratio.

　In consequence, the medical service fee for the DPC is 70,638 points compared to the fee-for-service system of 42,560 points, and the DPC/ fee-for-service system ratio is 1.66.

　We consider that it is important for us to pay attention not only to standardization of medical care but also to the hospital management side, and to consider creating a fusion of the clinical pathway and DPC in the future.