• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.199-207
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• 2007

Purpose: Clinical characteristics and medical cost were analyzed according to the surgical procedures for intertrochanteric fracture in aged patients to assess the appropriateness of treatment expense and to find possibility of reducing the medical cost. Method: Variable for the statistical analysis were; the clinical characteristics, medical cost according to the surgical procedures, the treatment success rate, the total medical expense, and the average expense per case. SAS Package Version 8.02. was used to analyze the relevant data. Results: Operative procedures differ significantly according to the gender and by the location of institution. Only significant clinical variables according to the operative procedure were duration of general anesthesia and amount of blood transfusion. Average cost per treatment was the highest in the bipolar hemiarthroplasty followed by the gamma nail and hip compressing screw. Average cost for bipolar hemiarthroplasty was significantly higher than other surgical procedures. Conclusions: The difference in hospital costs for treatment of intertrochanteric fracture originates from the utilized surgical procedures, mostly by the materials used. The method of surgical treatment should be carefully determined by the purpose of the surgery, in order to improve the quality of medical care and also to reduce the hospital cost.