@article{ref1,
title="Financial aspects of providing trauma care at the extremes of life",
journal="Journal of trauma",
year="1999",
author="Sartorelli, K. H. and Rogers, F. B. and Osler, T. M. and Shackford, S. R. and Cohen, M. and Vane, D. W.",
volume="46",
number="3",
pages="483-487",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Children and the elderly are more likely to be underinsured compared with the general population of trauma patients. We performed financial analysis on all trauma patients admitted during an 18-month period to a Level I adult and pediatric trauma center to evaluate the financial impact of providing trauma care for children and the elderly. METHODS: Patients were categorized by age: PEDI<17 years, GERI>64 years and MID = 17 to 64 years. Reimbursement ratio (RR = reimbursement/cost; RR>1 = profit, RR<1 = loss), length of stay (LOS), and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were calculated for each age group. RESULTS: RR for GERI (RR = 0.99) was significantly lower than for PEDI (RR = 1.15) and MID (RR = 1.16). There was no difference in ISS, but the LOS of GERI was greater than that of PEDI and MID (p<0.05). Cost per patient and LOS were less in PEDI versus MID and GERI (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Trauma care reimbursement for the elderly is inadequate, whereas pediatric trauma care costs less to deliver and is profitable to the trauma center.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-5282",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}