[2024 National Audit] HIRA "Need to Change Low Ratings of Long-term Care Hospitals to Absolute Evaluation"

Choi Boyun, People Power Party Lawmaker, "Suspects Grade Manipulation"
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Kang Jung-gu, President of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), stated during the National Assembly audit that when the possibility of manipulation related to the 'appropriateness evaluation of long-term care hospitals' was mentioned, "The indicators have been improved, and I believe it is necessary to change the lower evaluations to an absolute evaluation of pass and fail."

On the 16th, at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee audit, Choi Bo-yoon, a member of the People Power Party, addressed President Kang, saying, "If manipulation of the first-grade rating of long-term care hospitals is suspected, it is a serious problem," and revealed, "An analysis of the long-term care hospitals rated from 1 to 5 by HIRA showed suspicious cases." He added, "The number of patients with stage 1 pressure ulcers surged in June and July and gradually decreased during the evaluation period from July to December, showing improvement," and asked, "Isn't that strange?" He pointed out that the number of pressure ulcer patients might have been artificially increased to raise the 'pressure ulcer improvement rate,' which is a HIRA evaluation criterion.

Choi Boyoon, a member of the People Power Party, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

President Kang explained, "Due to the high possibility of manipulation, the indicators related to pressure ulcers were changed." HIRA prepared improvement plans for detailed standards on pressure ulcer skin treatment in June.

Representative Choi also criticized, "The purpose of introducing the appropriateness evaluation of long-term care hospitals is to improve medical quality, isn't it? However, some long-term care hospitals are spending on lectures and consulting fees to receive good evaluations." Regarding this, President Kang explained, "Since the evaluation is done by relative assessment, the lower few percent receive significantly less support funds, causing such problems," and added, "I believe it is necessary to change to an absolute evaluation so that those who meet a certain level of safety can pass."

Representative Choi said, "Considering the entry into an aging society and the situation where many disabled patients receive inpatient treatment, it should be systematically conducted," and added, "I hope the evaluation improvements are well prepared and go smoothly after the National Assembly audit."

Park Jumin, Chairman of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, is striking the gavel at the plenary meeting of the Health and Welfare Committee held at the National Assembly on August 28. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@