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Prater L, Bulger E, Maier RV, Goldstein E, Thomas P, Russo J, Wang J, Engstrom A, Abu K, Whiteside L, Knutzen T, Iles-Shih M, Heagerty P, Zatzick D. Emergency Department and Inpatient Utilization Reductions and Cost Savings Associated With Trauma Center Mental Health Intervention: Results From a 5-year Longitudinal Randomized Clinical Trial Analysis. Ann Surg 2024; 279:17-23. [PMID: 37747970 PMCID: PMC10843150 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000006102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify and refer patients at high risk for the psychological sequelae of traumatic injury, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma now requires that trauma centers have in-place protocols. No investigations have documented reductions in utilization and associated potential cost savings associated with trauma center mental health interventions. BACKGROUND The investigation was a randomized clinical trial analysis that incorporated novel 5-year emergency department (ED)/inpatient health service utilization follow-up data. METHODS Patients were randomized to a mental health intervention, targeting the psychological sequelae of traumatic injury (n = 85) versus enhanced usual care control (n = 86) conditions. The intervention included case management that coordinated trauma center-to-community care linkages, psychotropic medication consultation, and psychotherapy elements. Mixed model regression was used to assess intervention and control group utilization differences over time. An economic analysis was also conducted. RESULTS Over the course of the 5-year intervention, patients demonstrated significant reductions in ED/inpatient utilization when compared with control patients [ F (19,3210) = 2.23, P = 0.009]. Intervention utilization reductions were greatest at 3 to 6 months (intervention 15.5% vs control 26.7%, relative risk = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34, 1.00) and 12 to 15 months (intervention 16.5% vs control 30.6%, relative risk = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.91) postinjury time points. The economic analysis suggested potential intervention cost savings. CONCLUSIONS Mental health intervention is associated with significant reductions in ED and inpatient utilization, as well as potential cost savings. These findings could be productively integrated into future American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma policy discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Prater
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Eileen Bulger
- Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Ronald V. Maier
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Evan Goldstein
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | - Joan Russo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Khadija Abu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Lauren Whiteside
- Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Tanya Knutzen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Matt Iles-Shih
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Patrick Heagerty
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Doug Zatzick
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Knowlton LM, Logan DS, Arnow K, Hendricks WD, Gibson AB, Tran LD, Wagner TH, Morris AM. Do hospital-based emergency Medicaid programs benefit trauma centers? A mixed-methods analysis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2024; 96:44-53. [PMID: 37828656 PMCID: PMC10841404 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000004162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hospital Presumptive Eligibility (HPE) is a temporary Medicaid insurance at hospitalization, which can offset patient costs of care, increase access to postdischarge resources, and provide a path to sustain coverage through Medicaid. Less is known about the implications of HPE programs on trauma centers (TCs). We aimed to describe the association with HPE and hospital Medicaid reimbursement and characterize incentives for HPE participation among hospitals and TCs. We hypothesized that there would be financial, operational, and mission-based incentives. METHODS We performed a convergent mixed methods study of HPE hospitals in California (including all verified TCs). We analyzed Annual Financial Disclosure Reports from California's Department of Health Care Access and Information (2005-2021). Our primary outcome was Medicaid net revenue. We also conducted thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with hospital stakeholders to understand incentives for HPE participation (n = 8). RESULTS Among 367 California hospitals analyzed, 285 (77.7%) participate in HPE, 77 (21%) of which are TCs. As of early 2015, 100% of TCs had elected to enroll in HPE. There is a significant positive association between HPE participation and net Medicaid revenue. The highest Medicaid revenues are in HPE level I and level II TCs. Controlling for changes associated with the Affordable Care Act, HPE enrollment is associated with increased net patient Medicaid revenue ( b = 6.74, p < 0.001) and decreased uncompensated care costs ( b = -2.22, p < 0.05). Stakeholder interviewees' explanatory incentives for HPE participation included reduction of hospital bad debt, improved patient satisfaction, and community benefit in access to care. CONCLUSION Hospital Presumptive Eligibility programs not only are a promising pathway for long-term insurance coverage for trauma patients but also play a role in TC viability. Future interventions will target streamlining the HPE Medicaid enrollment process to reduce resource burden on participating hospitals and ensure ongoing patient engagement in the program. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Economic And Value Based Evaluations; Level II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Marie Knowlton
- Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Daniel S. Logan
- Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
| | - Katherine Arnow
- Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
| | | | | | - Linda D. Tran
- Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
| | - Todd H. Wagner
- Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
| | - Arden M. Morris
- Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center (S-SPIRE)
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
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