Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the hospital charges of long-term and those of short-term inpatients Insured by the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance System. This study analysed 1,597 medical bills of injured workers emitted to and discharged from all hospitals in Korea in the period between March 1, 1988 and May 30, 1989. The 308 workers hospitalized for more than 50 hospital days were classified as long-term inpatients, and the others as short-term inpatients. The sampling method employed was 25% systematic sampling. The results of this study were as follows; 1. The average length of stay for long-term inpatients was 95.1 days, and 20.7 days for short-term inpatients, 2. Long-term inpaiients' main diseases were multiple injury and fracture. Fracture of the lower extremities and feet prevailed, 3. Daily hospital charges were higher in the long-term inpatients than in the short-term inpatients. 4. Total charges decreased depending upon hospital grade in the order of general hospital, hospital, and clinic. Daily average hospital charges were the same regardless of hospital grade. 5. The proportions of long-term Inpatients admitted to general hospitals, hospitals, and clinics were 46.1%, 23.4%. and 30.5% respectively, and those of short-term patients were 33.2%, 24.1%, and 42.7% respectively. 6. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the length of hospital stay, hospital grade, treatment results and patient's age were the major determinants of hospital charges.

• Keywords: Hospital charges;Length of stay;Accident compensation