Case mix index analysis | Human Resource Management Assignment: I need help writing a research paper.

Content Link: MS-DRGs and CMI

Objectives:

1. Calculate the Case Mix Index for a selected group of cases.
2. Analyze Case Mix Indices for different facilities.
3. Evaluate the impact of utilization patterns on a facility’s Case Mix.

Introduction

The case mix of a patient population is a description of that  population based on any number of the following characteristics such as  age, gender, treatments received or resources used. Case Mix Analysis is  used to determine reimbursement, to describe a population being served  and to identify differences in practice patterns or coding complexity.

The case mix index is the average of the relative weights of all  cases treated at a given facility. The theoretical average CMI is 1.000.  CMI’s over 1.000 signify more complex cases and CMI’s less than 1.000  signify less complex cases. Factors that influence a facility’s case mix  index include:

• Changes made in relative weight values
• Changes in the type of services offered or provided by the facility
• Accuracy of documentation and coding in MS-DRG or APC assignment

Case Mix Analysis begins with the calculation of the Case Mix Index.  The Case-Mix Index is the average of the relative weights of all cases  treated at a given facility or by a given physician. The formula for  calculating the Case Mix Index is:

The total number of CMS Relative Weights for all of the cases divided by the total number of patients served.

Example: Commonwealth Hospital – Top 5 MS DRGs

 The total CMS Relative Weight is 213.0332

  The total number of patients served is 78

The Case Mix Index is 213.0332 / 78 = 2.7311

  Part I Written Assignment

  Scenario:

  You are the HIM Director for PrimeCare Medical Center and you are  charged with the task of analyzing your facility’s case mix and  comparing your Case Mix Index with comparable facilities in your area.  The top 5 procedures performed in your facility are listed below:

PrimeCare – Top 5 MS DRGs

1. Calculate the Case Mix Index for the top 5 MS DRGs for your  facility. Report all calculations to four places after the decimal point  for the most accurate CMI. 
2. The Transplant Surgery Department has predicted a 20% increase in  kidney cases for the next fiscal year and the Urology department has  predicted a 10% decrease in major bladder procedures. Recalculate the  CMI to account for these predictions. Report all calculations to four  places behind the decimal point for the most accurate CMI.
3. Prepare a short report (1 page) to the Finance Department that  analyzes the impact of the projected changes in utilization practices.  In your report include the new projected CMI. The purpose of the report  would not be to give actual facts and figures just to identify areas  that would be impacted by the projected changes.

Part II Written Assignment

Review the Case Mix Index figures in the table below.

Overall Case Mix Index FY 20xx
   Facility                Year 1      Year 2      Year 3
   Hospital A            1.7694      1.9052      1.9689
   Hospital B            1.5925      1.5554      1.7715
   Hospital C            1.6443      1.7073      1.9003
   Hospital D            1.5053      1.9471      1.8945
   State Average       1.6667      1.7712      1.9085

a. Prepare a graphic representation that compares each of the hospital figures to the state average for each year.
  b. Evaluate the data contained in the table. What types of conclusions  can be drawn from this information about each hospital and the state  average for each year? Prepare a short report (1 page) that evaluates  the possible explanations as for why each facility’s overall CMIs were  higher or lower that the state average for each year.