The economic and logistical burden of care for severe work-related injuries in a level 1 tertiary care trauma referral center

• Published in: The American journal of surgery 2015-09, Vol.210 (3), p.451-455
• Main Authors: Robertson-More, Connal, M.D, Wells, Bryan J., M.D., F.R.C.S.C, Nickerson, Duncan, M.D., F.R.C.S.C, Kirkpatrick, Andrew W., M.D., F.R.C.S.C., F.A.C.S, Ball, Chad G., M.D., M.S.C., F.R.C.S.C., F.A.C.S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Age Distribution; Aged; Alberta - epidemiology; Confidence intervals; Cost; Economic analysis; Fatalities; Female; Hospital costs; Humans; Injuries; Injury Severity Score; Intensive care; Intensive Care Units - utilization; Length of Stay - statistics & numerical data; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Injuries - economics; Occupational Injuries - epidemiology; Occupational Injuries - therapy; Patient Discharge; Patients; Registries; Respiration, Artificial - utilization; Retrospective Studies; Sex Distribution; Standard deviation; Surgery; Surgical Procedures, Operative - statistics & numerical data; Tertiary Care Centers; Trauma; Trauma Centers; Ventilation; Work-related injuries; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0002-9610; 1879-1883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2015.01.023

Abstract Background Work-related injuries (WRIs) represent a significant economic and logistical burden to healthcare systems. Methods All patients with severe WRIs (Injury Severity Score [ISS] ≥ 12) (1995 to 2013) were compared with patients with non-WRIs using standard methodology ( P < .05). Results A total of 1,270 (8.5%) trauma admissions were for severe WRIs (mean age = 45 years, male:female ratio = 2.8:1, mean ISS = 22.7). Compared with patients with non-WRIs, WRI patients were younger, male, and had fewer comorbidities. Despite equivalent ISS, WRIs had a longer intensive care unit length of stay, length of mechanical ventilation, and number of surgical/operative procedures. Fewer patients with WRIs died in hospital and more were discharged home without support services. The acute care economic burden of WRIs was higher (because of intensive care unit and operating theatre, and physician compensation) (all analyses, P < .05). Conclusion Patients with WRIs were younger, less comorbid, male, and had significantly higher utilization of acute care resources despite a similar ISS.