title: Trauma center closures: a national assessment.
abstract: A 1990 national survey of 66 closed trauma centers across 14 states was conducted to ascertain the factors that prompted closure. Data from 44 facilities, or 67% of the centers identified, indicate that inadequate financing and physician participation were commonplace. The findings support the work of other investigators and demonstrate that uncompensated care, inadequate reimbursement, high operating costs, and lack of physician support all adversely affect trauma care in both urban and suburban settings.
authors.affiliation: Charles McC. Mathias, Jr., National Study Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore 21201-1595.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Dailey
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Teter
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cowley
mesh_terms: D002391:Catchment Area, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006271:Health Facility Closure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006302:Health Services Research; D008484:Medicaid / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006278:Medicare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010067:Ownership / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013383:Suburban Population; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population