Effectiveness of trauma team on medical resource utilization and quality of care for patients with major trauma

Chih Jung Wang, Shu Ting Yen, Shih Fang Huang, Su Chen Hsu, Jeremy C. Ying, Yan Shen Shan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Trauma is one of the leading causes of death in Taiwan, and its medical expenditure escalated drastically. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of trauma team, which was established in September 2010, on medical resource utilization and quality of care among major trauma patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study, using trauma registry data bank and inpatient medical service charge databases. Study subjects were major trauma patients admitted to a medical center in Tainan during 2009 and 2013, and was divided into case group (from January, 2011 to August, 2013) and comparison group (from January, 2009 to August, 2010). Results: Significant reductions in several items of medical resource utilization were identified after the establishment of trauma team. In the sub-group of patients who survived to discharge, examination, radiology and operation charges declined significantly. The radiation and examination charges reduced significantly in the subcategories of ISS = 16 ~ 24 and ISS > 24 respectively. However, no significant effectiveness on quality of care was identified. Conclusions: The establishment of trauma team is effective in containing medical resource utilization. In order to verify the effectiveness on quality of care, extended time frame and extra study subjects are needed.

Original languageEnglish
Article number505
JournalBMC Health Services Research
Volume17
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017 Jul 24

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Health Policy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effectiveness of trauma team on medical resource utilization and quality of care for patients with major trauma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this