Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) Practice Exam

The subclasses of All Patient Diagnosis Related Groups (APDRG) are primarily focused on the clinical characteristics of patients, particularly concerning their severity of illness and risk of mortality. These factors impact the complexity and resource intensity of the care required for patients.

Severity of illness assesses the extent of a patient’s health condition and how it complicates treatment. This factor helps in predicting the likely course of treatment and the potential resource utilization. Risk of mortality evaluates the likelihood of a patient experiencing a fatal outcome, which is critical in determining the urgency and intensity of care required. By categorizing patients with similar severity of illness and risk of mortality, healthcare providers can better allocate resources, manage care effectively, and improve overall patient outcomes.

Analyzing the other factors listed, such as duration of stay, patient age, and type of care needed, are relevant in different contexts but do not specifically align with the primary focus of APDRG subclasses. Hence, severity of illness and risk of mortality stand out as the most pertinent factors in categorizing patient cases under APDRG.