TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Readmission risk and costs of firearm injuries in the United States, 2010-2015
JO  - PLoS one
A1  - Spitzer, Sarabeth A.
A1  - Vail, Daniel
A1  - Tennakoon, Lakshika
A1  - Rajasingh, Charlotte
A1  - Spain, David A.
A1  - Weiser, Thomas G.
SP  - e0209896
EP  - e0209896
VL  - 14
IS  - 1
N2  - BACKGROUND: In 2015 there were 36,252 firearm-related deaths and 84,997 nonfatal injuries in the United States. The longitudinal burden of these injuries through readmissions is currently underestimated. We aimed to determine the 6-month readmission risk and hospital costs for patients injured by firearms. <br><br>METHODS: We used the Nationwide Readmission Database 2010-2015 to assess the frequency of readmissions at 6 months, and hospital costs associated with readmissions for patients with firearm-related injuries. We produced nationally representative estimates of readmission risks and costs. <br><br>RESULTS: Of patients discharged following a firearm injury, 15.6% were readmitted within 6 months. The average annual cost of inpatient hospitalizations for firearm injury was over $911 million, 9.5% of which was due to readmissions. Medicare and Medicaid covered 45.2% of total costs for the 5 years, and uninsured patients were responsible for 20.1%. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: From 2010-2015, the average total cost of hospitalization for firearm injuries per patient was $32,700, almost 10% of which was due to readmissions within 6 months. Government insurance programs and the uninsured shouldered most of this.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1932-6203
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209896
ID  - ref1
ER  -