Year: 2006
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: In 1999, a Level I Trauma Center (TC) committed significant resources for development, recruitment of trauma surgeons and call pay for subspecialists.While this approach has sparked a national ethical debate, little has been published investigating efficacy.This study examines the price of commitment and outcomes at a TC.Methods: Direct costs (DC) including salary, call pay and personnel expenses, were analyzed against outcomes for two periods defined as PRE (1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999) and POST (2000POST ( -2005)).All patient care costs and 1999-2000 transition data were excluded.Demographics, outcomes and DC were compared.Significant mortality reductions stratified by age and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were used to calculate lives saved in relation to DC. Student's t and Chisquare were used.Results: DC increased $14.5 million or $83.8 thousand per life saved.Table 1.-Demographics, Outcomes and Direct Costs (*p < 0.05) Demographics PRE (n = 7,587) POST (n = 11,059) 43 130 0 *PRE vs. POST mortality p< 0.05, ‡p=0.06 173 If p=0.06 group is included, saves increase to 207, cost/life decreases to $70 thousand.Conclusions: Resources for program development including salary and call pay, significantly reduced mortality in injured patients.Price of commitment: $2.9 million/year.Cost of a saved life: $84 thousand.Benefit: 173 surviving patients who would otherwise be dead.True benefit: only the survivors and their families really know.
Language: English
Subfield: Emergency Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W28869168