The economic and logistical burden of care for severe work-related injuries in a level 1 tertiary care trauma referral center

• Retrospective analysis aimed at defining the footprint of WRIs in Canada.
• Severe traumatic WRI is common in a Canadian trauma center.
• WRI cohort was younger, less comorbid, and had a higher proportion of men.
• WRI cohort had significantly higher utilization of acute care resources despite a similar ISS.
• Findings may have implications regarding fair remuneration by responsible insurers.

BackgroundWork-related injuries (WRIs) represent a significant economic and logistical burden to healthcare systems.MethodsAll patients with severe WRIs (Injury Severity Score [ISS] ≥ 12) (1995 to 2013) were compared with patients with non-WRIs using standard methodology (P < .05).ResultsA total of 1,270 (8.5%) trauma admissions were for severe WRIs (mean age = 45 years, male:female ratio = 2.8:1, mean ISS = 22.7). Compared with patients with non-WRIs, WRI patients were younger, male, and had fewer comorbidities. Despite equivalent ISS, WRIs had a longer intensive care unit length of stay, length of mechanical ventilation, and number of surgical/operative procedures. Fewer patients with WRIs died in hospital and more were discharged home without support services. The acute care economic burden of WRIs was higher (because of intensive care unit and operating theatre, and physician compensation) (all analyses, P < .05).ConclusionPatients with WRIs were younger, less comorbid, male, and had significantly higher utilization of acute care resources despite a similar ISS.