Contemporary Ethical Issues in Nursing Related

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A client is admitted with chest pain. A series of diagnostic tests are ordered, and the client undergoes coronary artery bypass grafting. The cost of care for this client is increased because of a four-pack-per-day smoking history that resulted in extension of the client's intensive care unit (ICU) stay by 3 days because of respiratory problems. The case manager realizes that under the terms of the diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment system for this diagnosis:

  • A. the cost of caring for this client was $5000 greater than the DRG reimbursement fee, and the hospital will be allowed to collect the additional fees from the insurance company.
  • B. although the cost of care for this client was greater than the DRG reimbursement amount, the hospital will be reimbursed only at the set fee.
  • C. the client will be sued to pay back the insurance company for the extra fees incurred because smoking is a modifiable health risk for heart disease.
  • D. the physician who admitted the client will receive a reduced payment to cover the loss incurred by the hospital.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The DRG payment system is a fixed reimbursement amount for a specific diagnosis or procedure. In this case, the cost of care exceeded the DRG reimbursement amount due to the extended ICU stay caused by the client's smoking history. The hospital will only be reimbursed at the set fee specified by the DRG, regardless of the actual cost incurred.

Choice A is incorrect because the hospital cannot collect additional fees from the insurance company beyond the DRG reimbursement amount. Choice C is incorrect as the client is not typically held responsible for the additional costs incurred. Choice D is incorrect because physician payment is not directly impacted by the hospital's financial losses. The DRG system focuses on fixed reimbursements based on diagnoses, not individual physician payments.