Table 2. Changes in Outcome Variables After the Introduction and Discontinuation of DRGs^a.

Variable	After introduction of DRGs		After discontinuation of DRGs
	Step change estimated coefficient (95% CI)	Slope change estimated coefficient (95% CI)	Step change estimated coefficient (95% CI)	Slope change estimated coefficient (95% CI)
Length of stay	−0.0177 (−0.0232 to −0.01228)b	0.0012 (0.0009 to 0.0015)b	0.0093 (0.0042 to 0.0144)b	0.0025 (0.0022 to 0.0028)b
Mean monthly admissions	0.0290 (0.0252 to 0.0328)b	−0.0018 (−0.0020 to −0.0016)b	−0.0182 (−0.0217 to −0.0147)b	−0.0025 (−0.0027 to −0.0024)b
In-hospital mortality	−0.0412 (−0.0635 to −0.0189)b	0.0002 (−0.0009 to 0.0014)	−0.0014 (−0.0229 to 0.0201)	0.0027 (0.0016 to 0.0038)b
Emergency readmission rate	−0.0237 (−0.0346 to −0.0128)b	−0.0016 (−0.0021 to −0.0011)b	−0.0029 (−0.0130 to 0.0071)	0.0006 (0.0001 to 0.0011)c

Abbreviation: DRGs, diagnosis-related groups.

^a All estimated coefficients were generated from generalized linear regression with log link. The estimated coefficients were directly interpreted as marginal effects. For example, an estimated coefficient of −0.0182 implied a 1.82% immediate decrease in length of stay associated with the introduction of DRGs.

^b P < .001.

^c P < .01.