The pediatric burn unit: a profit center

Abstract

Background: Establishment of a pediatric burn center represents a major commitment of resources. The impact of a Pediatric Burn Unit on the finances of a children's hospital has never been reported and was the purpose of this study.

Methods: Burn registry data for patients discharged from our Pediatric Burn Unit from 2000 to 2002 were integrated with financial and administrative data. Reimbursement was determined by calculating expected payments for each patient. The relationship between percent total body surface area (TBSA) burned and profit/loss margin was evaluated using regression analysis.

Results: During the study period, 264 pediatric burn patients were admitted to our burn service. One hundred forty-three (54%) had less than 10% TBSA burned, and their average loss margin was -179.03 dollars per patient. The 121 patients (46%) who had greater than 10% TBSA burned had an average profit margin of +349.68 dollars per patient (P =.22, SE+ 605.03) Patients treated operatively (49; 18%) had a profit margin of +2237.77 dollars per patient, whereas patients treated nonoperatively (215; 81%) had a profit margin of -432.30 dollars per patient (P =.0007, SE +249.65) The overall profit margin was +63.88 dollars per patient.

Conclusions: Our pediatric burn service covered all hospital fixed costs and made a small profit. Pediatric burn care can be a profit center for children's hospitals. Investment in a Pediatric Burn Program provides adequate financial return for the hospital.