Immediate computed tomography or admission for observation after mild head injury: cost comparison in randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To compare the costs of immediate computed tomography during triage for admission with those of observation in hospital in patients with mild head injury.

Design

Prospective cost effectiveness analysis within a multicentre, pragmatic randomised trial.

Setting

39 acute hospitals in Sweden

Participants

2602 patients (aged > or = 6) with mild head injury.

Interventions

Immediate computed tomography or admission for observation.

Main outcome measures

Direct and indirect costs related to the mild head injury during the acute and three month follow-up period.

Results

Outcome after three months was similar for both strategies (non-significantly in favour of computed tomography). For the acute stage and complications, the cost was 461 eur

SUBMITTER: Norlund A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1557926 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature