AORN JOURNAL APRIL 1985, VOL 41, NO 4

Book Reviews

Reorganization and challenges created by DRGs

DRGs: Changes and Challenges. Franklin A Shaffer, ed. National League for Nursing, 10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019, 1984, 158 pp, $14.95 paperback.

Is the new form of Medicare reimbursement going to help us or hurt us? What are DRGs all about? Can we do anything to improve the situation or are we doomed to cutbacks? These are but a few of the questions nurses and nurse managers have been asking since the DRG system of reimburse- ment began.

This short book contains a series of articles on different aspects of the DRG reimbursement system that are of interest to the nursing profession. Particular attention is paid to how and why the DRG system came about and how the system will affect nurses and nursing in the future, particularly in the areas of nursing administration and education. This book would serve as a good introduction for nurses who want to learn about the DRG system, and should stimulate discussion on how nurses can meet the challenges it presents.

MARK PHILBRICK, RN PROGRAM COORDINATOR

DURHAM COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL DURHAM, NC

DRGs: The Reorganization of Health. Leah L Curtin and Carolina Zurlage, eds. S-N Publi- cations, Inc, 600 S Federal St, Chicago, Ill 60605, 1984,330 pp, $18.95 paperback.

A welcome addition to nursing literature, this book is an easy-to-read, practical source of information

for nurse managers charged with reducing costs and costing out nursing services. Thirty-two of 36 chapters have been written by contributors.

The book’s four sections cover legislation and reorganization of health care; accounting far me cost of nursing services; patient classification, staffing, and budgeting; and productivity, competence, and pay. There is, however, no biographical information about the contributing authors, which is a weakness. It is important for readers to know what authority or credentials an author has to write credibly about DRGs or any other topic.

DRGs: The Reorganization of Health should provide an organized, comprehensive reference for nurse managers concerned with prospective payment systems and health care economics.

MARCUS WALKER, RN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE, Mp

Anabsis and Evaluation of Conceptual M&h of Nursing. Jacqueline Fawcett. F A Davis Co, 1915 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, 1984,307 pp, $19.95.

This text is a successful attempt “to clarify tbe confusion between conceptual models and theories seen in contemporary nursing literature.” Any nurse interested in conceptual models of nursing will find this book informative and useful.

The first section of the book lays the foundation for the second. The author defines conceptual models and theories and discusses the formation