Cost of traumatic spinal cord injury in a population-based registry

This prospective study examines a population based cohort of 115 Coloradans identified as having an acute traumatic spinal cord injury by the Spinal Cord Injury Early Notification System in 1989. Comprehensive medical cost and complication data were collected for the first 2 years of survival. Unlike previous cost studies, this group represents the broad spectrum of spinal cord injured persons, reflected in a truly population based sample. Nearly 22 million dollars were spent during the first 2 years post injury on behalf of these Coloradans. Care provided to the 27 persons with Frankel A, B or C tetraplegia accounted for $10.9 million (50%); $7.6 million (35%) was spent providing care for the 36 people with Frankel A, B or C paraplegia; and the remaining $3.3 million (15%) was required for services provided to the 52 persons who had resolved to either Frankel D or E at acute care discharge. Of the $6.3 million that was spent post hospital discharge, $2.5 million (39%) is directly attributable to in-home care, and another $2.0 million (32%) is directly attributable to secondary medical complications. The most expensive complications occurred in the neurological, skin, respiratory and orthopedic body systems.