NordDRG updating and maintenance processes and principles

The annual maintenance and updating of the NordDRG system is performed according to a specified protocol and to a decided timetable.

Updating process of the NordDRG system is based on the following principles:
  • The definitions are directly based on the primary classifications
  • The definitions are readily accessible and transparent
  • The Steering Board of Nordic Casemix Centre formally endorses any proposed changes to the common version of the NordDRG definition tables
  • The updating process is performed by qualified experts and staff with the aim to satisfy the needs of the main stakeholders of the system in the Nordic countries.
  • New DRG-groups and modified rules should only be accepted if they fulfil established clinical, statistical and economical criteria
  • Modifications are validated with clinical and financial data to ensure that both economic and medical (clinical) homogeneity is retained or improved
  • The updating is sensitive to developments in medical practice as well as other changes to the health care system
  • NordDRG is developed in a way to retain comparability over time whenever possible
  • The development in other international DRG definitions is monitored for the development of future NordDRG definitions


Development / innovation principals:
  • Experts from the Nordic countries will participate in joint projects
  • All owners have a reasonability to share knowledge on the field with the other Nordic countries
  • The steering board of Nordic Casemix Centre will work actively with development and innovation


Information sharing / education / marketing principals:
The importance of information sharing has an increasing value for the NordDRG cooperation. There is a clear need for education of different stakeholder groups and although the activity is not for profit, more organized marketing activities are necessary.
  • The traditional Nordic case-mix conference will continuously be held every second year
  • Planning for further information sharing, education and marketing activities should be started when the new centre is instituted
  • The Nordic Casemix Centre will support national work in the member countries in this field

maintenance