TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2000//
TI  - Fall injuries in the pediatric population: safer and most cost-effective management
JO  - Journal of trauma
A1  - Pillai, S. B.
A1  - Bethel, C. A.
A1  - Besner, G. E.
A1  - Caniano, D. A.
A1  - Cooney, D. R.
SP  - 1048
EP  - 50; discussion 1050
VL  - 48
IS  - 6
N2  - 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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0022-5282
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -