BACKGROUND Infection following severe trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality days to weeks after the initial injury. Apolipoproteins play important roles in host defense and circulating concentrations are altered by the acute inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients who acquire infection following severe trauma have significantly lower apolipoprotein levels than trauma patients who do not become infected. METHODS We conducted a case-control study on a prospectively identified cohort of adult patients admitted to our intensive care unit after severe trauma (Injury Severity Score ≥ 16). We compared plasma apolipoprotein levels between patients who acquired an infection within 30 days after trauma (cases) and those that remained infection free (controls). RESULTS Of 40 patients experiencing severe trauma, we identified 22 cases that developed an infection within 30 days after injury. Cases had significantly lower post-trauma plasma levels of apolipoprotein-B (p=0.02) and apolipoprotein-AII (p=0.02) compared to controls. Consistent with previous studies, cases also received greater volumes of crystalloid infusions (p<0.01) and blood transfusions (p<0.01). Cases also had a more profound inflammatory response as measured by Interleukin-6 levels (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Infection after severe trauma is associated with decreased circulating apolipoproteins as compared to uninfected controls. Profoundly decreased plasma apolipoproteins B and AII could potentially contribute to the impaired immunity after severe trauma. Apolipoproteins are potential targets for identifying those patients at risk of infection after trauma and for interventions aimed at preventing nosocomial infections.

No abstract

Payment systems in the US healthcare system have rewarded physicians for services and attempted to control healthcare spending, with rewards and penalties based upon projected goals for future spending. The incorporation of quality goals and alternatives to fee-for-service was introduced to replace the previous system of rewards and penalties. We describe the history of the US healthcare payment system, focusing on Medicare and the efforts to control spending through the Sustainable Growth Rate. We describe the latest evolution of the payment system, which emphasizes quality measurement and alternative payment models. We conclude with suggestions for how to influence physician behavior through education and payment reform so that their behavior aligns with alternative care models to control spending in the future.