Table 1

An example of how nursing intensity can vary within the same DRG coding system

DRGNursing intensity
(based on the international Nursing Interventions Classification)
Scenario 1Patient 1

  • Hip fracture

  • 75-year-old woman

  • Hip replacement surgery

  • Weight: 65 kg

  • Collaborative

  • No cognitive impairment

  • Day 3, out of bed

Hip replacement surgeryPotential complications:

  1. Risk for infection (operative hip, urinary tract, blood infection, pneumonia)

  2. Risk of thromboembolism

  3. Pressure ulcer

  4. Risk of falls

Scenario 2Patient 2

  • Hip fracture

  • 82-year-old woman

  • Hip replacement surgery

  • Weight: 115 kg

  • Dementia

  • Diabetes

  • Non-collaborative

  • Day 3, still in bed

Hip replacement surgery

  1. Potential complications:

    1. Immobilisation syndrome

    2. Risk for peripheral neurovascular dysfunction

    3. Risk for infection (operative hip, urinary tract, blood infection, pneumonia)

    4. Risk of thromboembolism

    5. Fat embolism syndrome

    6. Risk of falls

  2. Impaired physical mobility

  3. Nutrition issues

  4. Multidrug management

  5. Pain: hip