Assessment of clinical parameters of the polytraumatized patient as predictors of hospital expenditure and of its distribution

Abstract

Introduction: Traumatic pathology continues to represent an important socio-health problem. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical predictors of total expenditure, as well as to analyze which components of the cost are modified with each clinical parameter of the polytraumatized patient.

Material and methods: Retrospective study of 131 polytrauma patients registered prospectively. A statistical analysis was carried out to assess the relationship between clinical parameters, the total cost and the cost of various treatment components.

Results: The total cost of hospital admission was 3,791,879 euros. The average cost per patient was € 28,945. Age and gender were not predictors of cost. The scales ISS, NISS and PS were predictors of the total cost and of multiple treatment components. The AIS of Skull and Thorax predicted a higher cost of admission to ICU and Total Cost. The AIS of lower limbs was associated with greater spending on facets of treatment related to surgical activity.

Discussion: There are clinical parameters that are predictors of the treatment cost of the polytraumatized patient. The study describes how the type of trauma that the patient suffers modifies the type of expenses that will present in their hospital admission.

Conclusions: Polytraumatized patients with severe multisystem injury present increased costs in multiple components of the treatment cost. Patients with TBI or chest trauma present a higher cost for admission to ICU and those with orthopaedic trauma are associated with greater expenditure on surgical activity.

Keywords: Coste hospitalario; Costes; Costs; Escalas de gravedad del traumatismo; Hospital cost; Injury severity scores; Paciente politraumatizado; Polytrauma patient.