%0 Journal Article
%T Financial triage in transfer of trauma patients: a myth or a reality?
%J American journal of surgery
%D 2009
%A Parks, Jennifer
%A Gentilello, Larry M.
%A Shafi, Shahid
%V 198
%N 3
%P e35-8
%X BACKGROUND: It has been alleged that smaller hospitals transfer out uninsured trauma patients (wallet biopsy), putting the financial burden on major trauma centers. <br><br>METHODS: We undertook a retrospective analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank to compare patients who received care at major trauma centers after being transferred from another hospital (transfer group, n = 72,900) with patients who received definitive care at a smaller hospital (nontransfer group, n = 6,826). <br><br>RESULTS: Transfer patients were more likely to be uninsured (18% vs 14%; P <.001), but were more severely injured (Injury Severity Score, 11 +/- 10 vs 7 +/- 7; P <.001), or had multiple injuries. After adjustment for these differences, uninsured patients were no more likely to be transferred than insured ones (odds ratio,.95; 95% confidence interval,.88-1.04; P =.3). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: There was no relationship between lack of insurance and likelihood of transfer to a major trauma center.<p /><p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Elsevier Publishing
%@ 0002-9610
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2009.01.012