Paraplegia
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This study examined the complications and costs of management of patients with acute spinal cord injury (ASCI) in a regional, multidisciplinary acute spinal cord injury unit (ASCIU). Data were available to compute length of stay (LOS) on 191 of the first 220 consecutive patients managed in this unit from 1974 to 1981. Specific formulae for assessing hospital and medical costs were developed based on a systems analysis approach. ⋯ The annual mean CPS decreased dramatically during the period of the study from 1974-81 due mainly to a decrease in LOS. Multiple regression analysis showed that severity and level of the spinal column and spinal cord injury, and the presence of complications had the most significant effects on duration and cost of care. The study also suggests that a specialized, multidisciplinary regional unit for ASCI patients is associated with a reduction in LOS and cost of care.