Dedicated operating room for trauma: a costly recommendation. J Trauma 1998 May;44(5):832-6; discussion 836-8
Date
05/29/1998Pubmed ID
9603085DOI
10.1097/00005373-199805000-00015Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0031780668 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 19 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: A dedicated operating room (OR) for urgent trauma cases is suggested by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma as a necessary component of a Level I or II trauma center. We describe a cost analysis of this recommendation.
METHODS: Two models for staffing urgent trauma cases were constructed. Urgent trauma cases were defined as those taken to the OR within 30 minutes of arrival. In one model the OR was available 24 hours a day with in-hospital personnel. The second model used an out-of-hospital call schedule, assuming a patient-ready OR in 30 minutes. Costs and revenue per urgent case were calculated. A break-even analysis shows the number of cases required for costs to equal revenue.
RESULTS: In the 24-hour model, the cost/urgent case is $14,288; in the call-schedule model $3,243. The number of cases to break even in the 24-hour model is 1210; in the call-schedule model 375.
CONCLUSIONS: A call-schedule model is the least costly way to staff an OR for urgent trauma cases.
Author List
Brasel KJ, Akason J, Weigelt JAMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Costs and Cost AnalysisHumans
Operating Rooms
Personnel Staffing and Scheduling
Trauma Centers
Wounds and Injuries
