The expedited discharge of patients with multiple traumatic rib fractures is cost-effective.

INTRODUCTION: Rib fractures are a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. It is well documented that optimizing pain control, mobilization, and respiratory care decreases complications. However, the impact of these interventions on hospital costs and length of stay is not well defined. We hypothesized patients with multiple rib fractures can be discharged within three hospital days resulting in decreased hospital costs. METHODS: A retrospective review of adult patients (≥18yrs) admitted to our Level 1 trauma center (2011-2013) with ≥2 rib fractures was performed. Patients were excluded if they were intubated, admitted to the ICU, required chest tube placement, or sustained significant multi-system trauma. (n = 202) Demographics, clinical characteristics, hospital costs, and outcome data were analyzed. Patients discharged within three hospital days of admission were considered to have achieved expedited discharge (ED). Univariate and multivariate analyses determined predictors of failure to achieve ED. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Study patients (n = 202) were 60 (SD = 19) years of age with an injury severity score (ISS) of 10 (SD = 5), and 4 (SD = 2) rib fractures. Of 202 patients, 127 (63%) achieved ED while 75 (37%) did not. No differences in chest AIS, ISS, smoking status or history of pulmonary disease were identified between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Average LOS (2 (SD = 1) vs. 7 (SD = 4) days; p < 0.001) and hospital costs ($2865 (SD = 1200) vs. $6085 (SD = 3033)); p < 0.001). were lower in the ED group A lower percentage of ED patients required placement in rehabilitation facilities (6% vs. 48%; p < 0.001). There were no readmissions within 30 days in either group. After controlling for potential confounding variables, multiple variable logistic regression analysis revealed that advancing age (OR 1.05 per year, 1.02-1.07) independently predicted failure to achieve ED. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients admitted to the hospital with multiple rib fractures can be discharged within three days. This expedited discharge results in significant cost savings to the hospital. Early identification of patients who cannot meet the goal of expedited discharge can facilitate improvement in management strategies.

Outpatient follow-up does not prevent emergency department utilization by trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Although most trauma centers have a regularly scheduled trauma clinic, research demonstrates that trauma patients do not consistently attend follow-up appointments and often use the emergency department (ED) for outpatient care. METHODS: A retrospective review of outpatient follow-up of adult patients admitted to the trauma service (January 2014-December 2014) at an urban level I trauma center was conducted (n = 2134). RESULTS: A total of 219 patients (10%) were evaluated in trauma clinic after discharge from the hospital. Twenty-one percent of patients seen in trauma clinic visited the ED within 30 d compared with 12% of those not seen in clinic (P < 0.001). A total of 104 patients were readmitted within 30 d of discharge; no difference existed in the rate of hospital readmission between patients seen in clinic and those not seen in clinic (P = 0.25). Stepwise logistic regression showed that clinic follow-up was not a significant predictor of decreased ED utilization (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.16 [95% confidence interval 0.78-1.72], P = 0.461) and also showed that while ED use was a significant predictor of readmission (adjusted OR 216 [93-500], P < 0.001), clinic visits were not (adjusted OR 0.74 [0.33-1.69], P = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient follow-up in the trauma clinic does not decrease ED utilization or hospital readmissions indicating that interventions aimed at improving access to a conventional outpatient clinic will not impact ED utilization rates. Further study is necessary to determine the best system for providing clinically appropriate and cost-effective outpatient follow-up for trauma patients.

Neglected diseases and ethnic minorities in the Western Pacific Region exploring the links.

Ethnic minority groups (EMGs) are often subject to exclusion, marginalization and poverty. These characteristics render them particularly vulnerable to neglected diseases, a diverse group of diseases that comprise bacteria, ecto-parasites, fungi, helminths and viruses. Despite the health policy relevance, only little is known of the epidemiological profile of neglected diseases among EMGs. We reviewed country data from Australia, Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam and found several overlaps between regions with high proportions of EMG population and high prevalence rates of neglected diseases (infections with soil-transmitted helminths, filarial worms, schistosomes, food-borne trematodes and cestodes). While the links are not always clearly evident and it is impossible to establish correlations among highly aggregated data without control variables-such as environmental factors-there appear indeed to be important linkages between EMGs, socio-economic status and prevalence of neglected diseases. Some determinants under consideration are lack of access to health care and general health status, poverty and social marginalization, as well as education and literacy. Further research is needed to deepen the understanding of these linkages and to determine their public health and socio-economic significance. In particular, there is a need for more data from all countries in the Western Pacific Region that is disaggregated below the provincial level. Selected case studies that incorporate other control variables-such as risk factors from the physical environment-might be useful to inform policy makers about the feasibility of prevention and control interventions that are targeted at high-risk EMGs.