title: Economic considerations.
abstract: The costs to society of trauma care are huge. Multiple-injury patients in critical care units consume a vast percentage of the direct medical costs. This article examines the role that pre-existing diseases have on the length of stay in the critical care unit and the costs associated with this care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jaffin
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Champion
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Boulanger
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology