Analysis of real-world length of stay data and costs associated with use of autologous skin cell suspension for the treatment of small burns in U.S. centers. Issue 3 (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carson, Joshua S.; Carter, Jeffrey E.; Hickerson, William L.; Rae, Lisa; Saquib, Syed F.; Wibbenmeyer, Lucy A.; Becker, Russell V.; Sparks, Jeremiah A.; Walsh, Thomas P.
• Is Part Of: Burns. Volume 49:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: 607
• Page End: 614
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: Small burn injury -- Real-world data -- Autologous skin cell suspension -- Length of stay -- Cost savings; Burns and scalds -- Periodicals; 617.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2022.11.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-4179

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS) is a treatment for acute thermal burn injuries associated with significantly lower donor skin requirements than conventional split-thickness skin grafts (STSG). Projections using the BEACON model suggest that among patients with small burns (total body surface area [TBSA]<20 %), use of ASCS± STSG leads to a shorter length of stay (LOS) in hospital and cost savings compared with use of STSG alone. This study evaluated whether data from real-world clinical practice corroborate these findings. Materials and methods: Electronic medical record data were collected from January 2019 through August 2020 from 500 healthcare facilities in the United States. Adult patients receiving inpatient treatment with ASCS± STSG for small burns were identified and matched to patients receiving STSG using baseline characteristics. LOS was assumed to cost $7554/day and to account for 70 % of overall costs. Mean LOS and costs were calculated for the ASCS± STSG and STSG cohorts. Results: A total of 151 ASCS± STSG and 2243 STSG cases were identified; 63.0 % of patients were male and the average age was 44.2 years. Sixty-three matches were made between cohorts. LOS was 18.5 days with ASCS± STSG and 20.6 days with STSG (difference: 2.1 days [10.2 %]). This difference led to bed cost savings of $15, 587.62 per ASCS± STSG patient. Overall cost savings with ASCS± STSG were $22, 268.03 per patient. Conclusions: Analysis of real-world data shows that treatment of small burn injuries with ASCS± STSG provides reduced LOS and substantial cost savings compared with STSG, supporting the validity of the BEACON model projections. Highlights: Autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS) is an effective therapy for small burns. The standard of care treatment is split-thickness skin grafts (STSG). In this study of small burns, ASCS±STSG led to lower length of stay than STSG. ASCS±STSG greatly reduced the costs of length of stay and overall treatment. Use of ASCS±STSG in small burns may increase hospital bed capacity and revenue.