@article{ref1,
title="The impact of relocating a trauma center: retrospective observations on payer demographics and cost-analysis",
journal="American surgeon",
year="2023",
author="Punja, Viren and Capasso, Thomas and Stokes, Laura and Ray, Kelley and Narveson, Joel R. and Walters, Ryan W. and Fernández, Carlos and Patel, Neil D. and Ewing, Kaily and Kuncir, Eric",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Standardization of trauma centers improves quality of care, yet that comes with financial challenges. The decision to designate a trauma center typically focuses on access, quality of care, and the needs of the local community, but less often considers the financial viability of the trauma center. A level-1 trauma center was relocated in 2017 and this presented an opportunity to compare financial data at two separate locations in the same city. <br><br>METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on the local trauma registry and billing database in all patients aged ≥19 years on the trauma service before and after the move. <br><br>RESULTS: 3041 patients were included (pre-move: 1151; post-move: 1890). After the move, patients were older (9.5 years), and more were females (14.9%) and white (16.5%). Increases in blunt injuries (7.6%), falls (14.8%), and motor vehicle accidents (1.7%) were observed after the move. After the move, patients were less likely to be discharged home (6.5%) and more likely to go to a skilled nursing facility (3%) or inpatient rehabilitation (5.5%). Post-move more patients had Medicare (12.6%) or commercial (8.5%) insurance and charges per patient decreased by $2,833, while charges collected per patient increased by $2425. Patients were seen from a broader distribution of zip codes post-move. <br><br>DISCUSSION: Relocating a trauma center did improve financial viability for this institution. Future studies should consider the impact on the surrounding community and other trauma centers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0003-1348",
doi="10.1177/00031348231175482",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00031348231175482"
}