TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2023//
TI  - The impact of relocating a trauma center: retrospective observations on payer demographics and cost-analysis
JO  - American surgeon
A1  - Punja, Viren
A1  - Capasso, Thomas
A1  - Stokes, Laura
A1  - Ray, Kelley
A1  - Narveson, Joel R.
A1  - Walters, Ryan W.
A1  - Fernández, Carlos
A1  - Patel, Neil D.
A1  - Ewing, Kaily
A1  - Kuncir, Eric
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0003-1348
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00031348231175482
ID  - ref1
ER  -