COST OF TRAUMATIC SPINAL-CORD INJURY IN A POPULATION-BASED REGISTRY

This prospective study examines a population based cohort of 115 Color adans identified as having an acute traumatic spinal cord injury by th e Spinal Cord Injury Early Notification System in 1989. Comprehensive medical cost and complication data were collected for the first 2 year s of survival. Unlike previous cost studies, this group represents the broad spectrum of spinal cord injured persons, reflected in a truly p opulation based sample. Nearly 22 million dollars were spent during th e first 2 years post injury on behalf of these Coloradans. Care provid ed to the 27 persons with Frankel A, B or C tetraplegia accounted for $10.9 million (50%); $7.6 million (35%) was spent providing care for t he 36 people with Frankel A, B or C paraplegia; and the remaining $3.3 million (15%) was required for services provided to the 52 persons wh o had resolved to either Frankel D or E at acute care discharge. Of th e $6.3 million that was spent post hospital discharge, $2.5 million (3 9%) is directly attributable to in-home care, and another $2.0 million (32%) is directly attributable to secondary medical complications. Th e most expensive complications occurred in the neurological, skin, res piratory and orthopedic body systems.