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.
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Authors | S B Pillai, C A Bethel, G E Besner, D A Caniano, D R Cooney |
Journal | The Journal of trauma
(J Trauma)
Vol. 48
Issue 6
Pg. 1048-50; discussion 1050-1
(Jun 2000)
ISSN: 0022-5282 [Print] United States |
PMID | 10866249
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Accidental Falls
(economics, statistics & numerical data)
- Analysis of Variance
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
(statistics & numerical data)
- Craniocerebral Trauma
(diagnostic imaging, economics)
- Hospitals, Pediatric
(statistics & numerical data)
- Humans
- Injury Severity Score
- Patient Transfer
(economics)
- Radiography
(economics)
- Trauma Centers
(statistics & numerical data)
- Wounds and Injuries
(economics, etiology, therapy)
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