Treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis by burn units: another market or another threat?
A survey of burn care facilities in the United States has provided information regarding the treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis and related diseases in burn units. The survey suggests that a disproportionate share (12% to 15%) of the projected number of cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis that occur annually are being transferred to the 2% of United States hospitals that have burn units. Because of the potential for a complex hospital course and extended length of stay, treatment of these patients in a prospective payment system poses a significant fiscal threat to hospitals with burn units.
Jordan
M H
MH
Burn Center, Washington Hospital Center, DC 20010.
Lewis
M S
MS
Jeng
J G
JG
Rees
J M
JM
D002053:Burn Units / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016344:Medicare Part A; D016311:Outliers, DRG / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011445:Prospective Payment System; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology