| Large Cost Savings Realized From The 2006 Field Triage Guideline: Reduction in Overtriage in U.S. Trauma Centers. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 22008012 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Abstract Background. Ambulance transport of injured patients to the most appropriate medical care facility is an important decision. Trauma centers are designed and staffed to treat severely injured patients and are increasingly burdened by cases involving less-serious injury. Yet, a cost evaluation of the Field Triage national guideline has never been performed. Objectives. To examine the potential cost savings associated with overtriage for the 1999 and 2006 versions of the Field Triage Guideline. Methods. Data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Trauma Databank (NTDB) produced estimates of injury-related ambulatory transports and exposure to the Field Triage guideline. Case costs were approximated using a cost distribution curve of all cases found in the NTDB. A two-way sensitivity analysis was also used to determine the impact of data uncertainty on medical costs and the reduction in trauma center visits (12%) after implementation of the 2006 Field Triage guideline compared with the 1999 Field Triage guideline. Results. At a 40% overtriage rate, the average case cost was $16,434. The cost average of 44.2% reduction in case costs if patients were treated in a non-trauma center compared with a trauma center was found in the literature. Implementation of the 2006 Field Triage guideline produced a $7,264 cost savings per case, or an estimated annual national savings of $568,000,000. Conclusion. Application of the 2006 Field Triage guideline helps emergency medical services personnel manage overtriage in trauma centers, which could result in a significant national cost savings. |
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Authors:
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Mark Faul; Marlena M Wald; Ernest E Sullivent; Scott M Sasser; Vikas Kapil; E Brooke Lerner; Richard C Hunt |
Publication Detail:
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Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2011-10-18 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Prehospital emergency care : official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors Volume: - ISSN: 1545-0066 ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2011 Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-10-19 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9703530 Medline TA: Prehosp Emerg Care Country: - |
Other Details:
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Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Affiliation:
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From the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Injury Response (MF, MMW, EES, RCH), and the National Center for Environmental Health (VK), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; the Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University (SMS), Atlanta, Georgia; and the Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin (EBL), Milwaukee, Wisconsin. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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