Citation

Sartorelli KH, Rogers FB, Osler TM, Shackford SR, Cohen M, Vane DW. J. Trauma 1999; 46(3): 483-487.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington 05405, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10088856

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Children and the elderly are more likely to be underinsured compared with the general population of trauma patients. We performed financial analysis on all trauma patients admitted during an 18-month period to a Level I adult and pediatric trauma center to evaluate the financial impact of providing trauma care for children and the elderly. METHODS: Patients were categorized by age: PEDI<17 years, GERI>64 years and MID = 17 to 64 years. Reimbursement ratio (RR = reimbursement/cost; RR>1 = profit, RR<1 = loss), length of stay (LOS), and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were calculated for each age group. RESULTS: RR for GERI (RR = 0.99) was significantly lower than for PEDI (RR = 1.15) and MID (RR = 1.16). There was no difference in ISS, but the LOS of GERI was greater than that of PEDI and MID (p<0.05). Cost per patient and LOS were less in PEDI versus MID and GERI (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Trauma care reimbursement for the elderly is inadequate, whereas pediatric trauma care costs less to deliver and is profitable to the trauma center.

Language: en