Citation

Pillai SB, Bethel CA, Besner GE, Caniano DA, Cooney DR. J. Trauma 2000; 48(6): 1048-50; discussion 1050-1.

Affiliation

Division of Pediatric Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10866249

Abstract

BACKGROUND: At our children's hospital, 30% of all trauma admissions are from falls. The aim of this study was to outline inefficiencies and unnecessary costs incurred in the care of these patients. METHODS: The charts of 127 children admitted for falls (height > or = 9 feet) from 1993 to 1996 were reviewed. Patient demographics, injuries, and treatment costs were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-seven children (45%) were evaluated at an outside facility before transfer. Of these, 73% had injuries requiring treatment at the pediatric center. Local hospital work-up resulted in an average treatment delay of 4.5 hours. Additionally, significant cost was incurred by duplication of radiographic studies, the majority of which were normal. CONCLUSION: Improved and more cost-effective care in pediatric falls can be ensured by immediate transfer of patients with significant injuries, omission of radiographs before transfer, and avoidance of multiple routine x-ray films, the majority of which are normal.

Language: en