Cost effectiveness in trauma care

Traumatic injury exacts high costs not only in terms of death but also in pain and suffering, years of lost productivity, and consumption of medical resources. Despite the staggering statistics, the American health care system has not yet developed cost-effective means of delivering trauma care. In fact, economic disincentives discourage the development and continuation of trauma care systems. Strategies for cost containment must focus on improved reimbursement rates for trauma care, increased government funding, cost-effective diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and prevention of intentional and unintentional injuries.