Abstract
Introduction
People with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) face complex challenges in their care,
recovery and life. Secondary conditions can develop to involve many body systems and
can impact health, function, quality of life, and community participation. These secondary
conditions can be costly, and many are preventable. The aim of this study was to describe
the type and direct costs of secondary conditions requiring readmission to hospital,
or visit to an emergency department (ED), within the first two years following traumatic
spinal cord injury (SCI).
Methods
A retrospective cohort study using population-level linked data from hospital ED and
admission datasets was undertaken in Victoria, Australia. The incidence and direct
treatment costs of readmission to hospital and ED visit within 2-years post-injury
for secondary conditions related to SCI were measured for the 356 persons with traumatic
SCI with a date of injury from 2008 to 2011.
Results
Of the 356 cases, 141 (40%) experienced 366 (median 2, range 1–11) readmissions to
hospital for secondary conditions. 95 (27%) visited an ED at least once, within two
years of injury for a secondary condition. The cost of hospital readmissions was AUD$5,553,004
and AUD$87,790 for ED visits. The mean ± SD cost was AUD$15,172 ± $20,957 per readmission and AUD$670 ± $198 per ED visit. Urological conditions (e.g. urinary tract infection) were most
common, followed by pressure areas/ulcers for readmissions, and fractures in the ED.
Conclusions
Hospitalisation for complications within two years of traumatic SCI was common and
costly in Victoria, Australia. Improved bladder and pressure area management could
result in substantial morbidity and cost savings following SCI.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 07, 2016
Accepted:
June 6,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
