Impact of Post-Traumatic Amnesia on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) First Year Hospitalization Costs in TBIMS

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

3:15 PM – 3:31 PM

Presenting Author(s)

Clara E. Dismuke-Greer, PhD (she/her/hers)

Research Health Science Specialist
Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System
Brunswick, Georgia, United States

Slides

Non-presenting Author(s)

EA

Emily J. Almeida, MS

Biostatistician II
Craig Hospital Research Department
Northglenn, Colorado, United States
Marc A. Silva, PhD (he/him/his)

Neuropsychologist
James A Haley Veterans Hospital
Tampa, Florida, United States
GR

George P. Rocek, MA

Research Associate
James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
Wesley Chapel, Florida, United States
Leah M. Phillips, MPH

Research Project Manager
James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital
Temple Terrace, Florida, United States
WW

William C. Walker, M.D.

Professor, Dept. of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitaiton
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
RICHMOND, Virginia, United States
Risa Nakase-Richardson, Ph.D.

Professor
University of South Florida and James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
Lutz, Florida, United States

This study examined the association of each day of Post-Traumatic Amnesia with first year VA hospitalization costs in military veterans and service members receiving inpatient rehabiliation for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Unadjusted mean total hospital costs in the first-year post TBI were approximately $201 214 higher for those with PTA duration ≥24 hours than PTA
In adjusted models, each additional day of PTA duration increased marginal total ($1452), rehabilitation ($1324), ICU ($78) and surgery ($39) costs. Other significant covariates included age, acute care length of stay, Disability Rating Scale on rehabilitation admission, penetrating violent cause of injury, and drug abuse.
Mean first year hospital costs were also found to exceed the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation highest allocation to VA facilities for a veteran treated in a PRC of $77 964 for FY 2021, which has possible implications for VA hospital care provision for those receiving inpatient rehabilitation.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the relationship between Post Traumatic Amnesia (PTA) and first year VA hospitalization costs after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in veterans and military treated in Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers of Excellence.
Understand other factors associated with first year VA hospitalization costs after TBI in veterans and service members treated in PRCs.
Understand how costs of hospitalization in the first year after TBI compare with Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation to VA facilities taking care of veterans.