The researchers examined 1,549 skeletally mature patients with 1,655 fractures, including acetabulum, pelvic ring, femur and spine fractures. All the patients were treated surgically with early fixation less than 24 hours after the injury.
The researchers found:
1. There were 814 patients transferred from another hospital — 53 percent of the patients. Around 66 percent of these patients had acetabular fractures and 62 percent had pelvic ring fractures.
2. The patients who were transferred exhibited these characteristics:
• Older age — an average age of 39.1 years old versus 36.6 years old
• Had commercial insurance — 12 percent had commercial insurance versus 17 percent who did not
• More likely to have insurance — 31 percent had insurance versus 27 percent who did not
3. The average Injury Severity Score for the uninsured transferred patients was lower than that of other transferred patients.
4. Transfer rates were not related to weekday injury or the time of the injury. The article authors concluded many transfer patients appeared appropriate based on their injury complexity.
5. There were 973 patients — 63 percent — who had early definitive fixation.
6. When fixation was delayed, the delay was for surgeon preference 57 percent of the time.
7. Transferred patients were more likely undergo delayed fixation. Around 43 percent of transferred patients had delayed fixation, compared to 31 percent of the non-transferred patients.
8. “Communication and transparency about these issues may serve to expedite care and to enhance financial stability of larger trauma centers,” concluded the study authors.
More articles on orthopedic surgery:
Dr. Daniil Polishchuk joins OrthoNY
When is MRI cost-effective for diagnosing meniscal tears? 5 key points
Dr. Tyson Cobb joins faculty of Italian Society for Surgery of the Hand’s surgical program
