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INTRODUCTION: Geriatric hip fractures are a major, costly public health issue, expected to increase in incidence and expense with the aging population. As healthcare transitions towards value-based care, understanding cost drivers of hip fracture treatment will be necessary to perform adequate risk adjustment. Historically, cost has been variable and difficult to determine. This study was purposed to identify variables that can predict the overall cost of care for geriatric intertrochanteric (IT) hip fractures and provide a better cost prediction to ensure the success of future bundled payment models. METHODS: A retrospective review of operatively-managed geriatric hip fractures was performed at single urban level I academic trauma center between 2013 and 2017. Patient variables were collected via the electronic medical record (EMR) including CCI, ACCI, ASA, overall length of stay (LOS), AO/OTA fracture classification and demographics. Direct and indirect costs were calculated by activity-based costing by the hospital's accounting software. Multivariable linear regression models evaluated which parameters predicted total inpatient cost of care. RESULTS: The mean cost of care was $19,822, ranging from $9,128 to $64,211. Critical care comprised 16.9% of total costs, followed by implant costs (13.6%), and nursing costs (12.6%). Regression analysis identified both ASA (p < 0.01) and ACCI (p = 0.01) as statistically significant associative parameters, but only LOS (r 2 = 0.77) as a strong correlative measure for inpatient care cost. CONCLUSION: This study found no correlation between ACCI or ASA and the total inpatient cost of care in isolated intertrochanteric geriatric hip fractures, suggesting that the inpatient episode-of-care costs cannot be accurately predicted by the patient demographics/comorbidities alone. Future bundled care payment models would have to be adjusted to account for variables beyond just patient characteristics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level IV.
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INTRODUCTION: Geriatric intertrochanteric (IT) femur fractures are a common and costly injury, expected to increase in incidence as the population ages. Understanding cost drivers will be essential for risk adjustments, and the surgeon's choice of implant may be an opportunity to reduce the overall cost of care. This study was purposed to identify the relationship between implant type and inpatient cost of care for isolated geriatric IT fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review of IT fractures from 2013-2017 was performed at an academic level I trauma center. Construct type and AO/OTA fracture classifications were obtained radiographically, and patient variables were collected via the electronic medical record (EMR). The total cost of care was obtained via time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC). Multivariable linear regression and goodness-of-fit analyses were used to determine correlation between implant costs, inpatient cost of care, construct type, patient characteristics, and injury characteristics. RESULTS: Implant costs ranged from $765.17 to $5,045.62, averaging $2,699, and were highest among OTA 31-A3 fracture patterns (p < 0.01). Implant cost had a positive linear association with overall inpatient cost of care (p < 0.01), but remained highly variable (r2 = 0.16). Total cost of care ranged from $9,129.18 to $64,210.70, averaging $19,822, and patients receiving a sliding hip screw (SHS) had the lowest mean total cost of care at $17,077, followed by short and long intramedullary nails ($19,314 and $21,372, respectively). When construct type and fracture pattern were compared to total cost, 31-A1 fracture pattern treated with SHS had significantly lower cost than 31-A2 and 31-A3 and less variation in cost. CONCLUSION: The cost of care for IT fractures is poorly understood and difficult to determine. With alternative payment models on the horizon, implant selection should be utilized as an opportunity to decrease costs and increase the value of care provided to patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level IV.
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This study reviewed the clinical history and management of acquired growth arrest in the upper extremity in pediatric patients. The records of all patients presenting from 1996 to 2012 with radiographically proven acquired growth arrest were reviewed. Records were examined to determine the etiology and site of growth arrest, management, and complications. Patients with tumors or hereditary etiology were excluded. A total of 44 patients (24 boys and 20 girls) with 51 physeal arrests who presented at a mean age of 10.6 years (range, 0.8-18.2 years) were included in the study. The distal radius was the most common site (n=24), followed by the distal humerus (n=8), metacarpal (n=6), distal ulna (n=5), proximal humerus (n=4), radial head (n=3), and olecranon (n=1). Growth arrest was secondary to trauma (n=22), infection (n=11), idiopathy (n=6), inflammation (n=2), compartment syndrome (n=2), and avascular necrosis (n=1). Twenty-six patients (59%) underwent surgical intervention to address deformity caused by the physeal arrest. Operative procedures included ipsilateral unaffected bone epiphysiodesis (n=21), shortening osteotomy (n=10), lengthening osteotomy (n=8), excision of physeal bar or bone fragment (n=2), angular correction osteotomy (n=1), and creation of single bone forearm (n=1). Four complications occurred; 3 of these required additional procedures. Acquired upper extremity growth arrest usually is caused by trauma or infection, and the most frequent site is the distal radius. Growth disturbances due to premature arrest can be treated effectively with epiphysiodesis or osteotomy. In this series, the specific site of anatomic growth arrest was the primary factor in determining treatment. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(1):e95-e103.].