AAP News Vol. 14 No. 3 March 1998, p. 2
© 1998 American Academy of Pediatrics
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Poison-related hospital costs

Stefanie Dell'Aringa

While poison-related hospitalizations for children are increasing, length of stay is becoming shorter and therefore reducing per case costs, according to researchers who studied 638 patients hospitalized for poisoning at Children's Hospital in Boston.

Length of stay for a poisoned patient dropped by 41 percent, resulting in a per case decrease in hospital charges from $7,934 to $4,968 over four years, according to the study. However, since the number of cases increased, total charges for poison-related hospitalizations remained constant at close to $1 million annually.

Results showed a steady increase in cases over the study period — from 125 in 1992 to 192 in 1995.

Severe poisonings increased from 12.8 percent to 14.1 percent.

Drug-related toxic effects constituted 67 percent of poisonings, commercial products accounted for 25 percent and lead poisoning made up 8 percent of cases.