Term: Ambulatory Diagnostic Groups (ADG)

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2013-09-19

Definition:

Now known as Aggregated Diagnosis Groups® , Ambulatory Diagnostic Groups were used in earlier versions (prior to 2001, version 5 release) of the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Group® (ACG®) case-mix system when it was called the Ambulatory Care Group (ACG) system. While more recent ACG Groupers assign patients into one of 32 ADGs based on 5 clinical and expected utilization criteria, earlier versions of the software assigned a patient into Ambulatory Diagnosis Groups (ADGs) based on the following eight criteria:

1) clinical similarity;
2) likelihood of persistence/recurrence of the condition over time;
3) likelihood that patient will return for repeat visit/continued treatment;
4) likelihood of specialty consultation or referral;
5) expected need and cost of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for the condition;
6) expected need for a required hospitalization;
7) likelihood of associated disability; and
8) likelihood of associated decreased life expectancy.

A crude measure of significant morbidity burden is the presence of three or more ADGs in a given time period. Note: The use of ADGs has been updated. Please see definition for Aggregated Diagnosis Groups (ADGs).

Related concepts 

• Adjusted Clinical Groups® (ACG®) - Overview

Related terms 

• Adjusted Clinical Group ® (ACG®) Case-Mix System
• Aggregated Diagnosis Groups ™ (ADGs®)
• ICD-9-CM
• International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
• International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, with Clinical Modifications (ICD-9-CM)

References 

• Brownell M, Lix L, Ekuma O, Derksen S, Dehaney S, Bond R, Fransoo R, MacWilliam L, Bodnarchuk J. Why is the Health Status of Some Manitobans Not Improving? The Widening Gap in the Health Status of Manitobans. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2003. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Menec VH, Roos NP, Black C, Bogdanovic B. Characteristics of patients with a regular source of care. Can J Public Health 2001;92(4):299-303. [Abstract] (View)
• Reid RJ, MacWilliam L, Roos NP, Bogdanovic B, Black C. Measuring Morbidity in Populations: Performance of the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Group (ACG) Case-Mix Adjustment System in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation, 1999. [Report] [Summary] (View)

Term used in 

• Doupe M, Brownell M, Kozyrskyj A, Dik N, Burchill C, Dahl M, Chateau D, De Coster C, Hinds A, Bodnarchuk J. Using Administrative Data to Develop Indicators of Quality Care in Personal Care Homes. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2006. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)