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Published on: February 16, 2011

Financial aspects of providing trauma care at the extremes of life

K H Sartorelli1, F B Rogers, T M Osler

  • 1Department of Surgery, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington 05405, USA.

The Journal of Trauma
|March 24, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Trauma care for the elderly is not adequately reimbursed, resulting in financial losses. Pediatric trauma care is cost-effective and profitable for trauma centers.

Area of Science:

  • Trauma care financial analysis
  • Healthcare economics
  • Pediatric and geriatric medicine

Background:

  • Children and the elderly are disproportionately underinsured among trauma patients.
  • Financial impact of trauma care for pediatric and elderly populations was evaluated.
  • Study conducted at a Level I adult and pediatric trauma center.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the financial implications of providing trauma care to pediatric and elderly patients.
  • To compare the cost-effectiveness and profitability of trauma care across different age groups.

Main Methods:

  • Trauma patients categorized into pediatric (PEDI, <17 years), geriatric (GERI, >64 years), and middle-aged (MID, 17-64 years) groups.
  • Reimbursement ratio (RR), length of stay (LOS), and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were calculated.
  • Financial analysis based on reimbursement versus cost.

Main Results:

  • Geriatric patients had a significantly lower reimbursement ratio (RR=0.99) compared to pediatric (RR=1.15) and middle-aged (RR=1.16) groups.
  • Geriatric patients had a longer length of stay (LOS) than pediatric and middle-aged patients.
  • Pediatric patients incurred lower costs and shorter LOS compared to middle-aged and geriatric patients.

Conclusions:

  • Current reimbursement for elderly trauma care is insufficient, leading to financial losses.
  • Pediatric trauma care is more cost-effective and generates profit for trauma centers.
  • Age significantly impacts the financial viability of trauma care services.
Abstract

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