Financial analysis of acetaminophen suicide in a teen girl
Ferris, M.; Hasket, M.; Pilkington, S.; Williams, M.
Pediatric Nursing 33(5): 442-447; 451
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0097-9805 PMID: 18041335 Document Number: 606382
There is no doubt that prevention and primary care treatment is less costly than emergency room efforts and tertiary care to save someone's life. Preventive health care is the cornerstone of any health care system designed to reduce costs and human suffering (American Nurses Association, 1997). Unfortunately, emergency room and intensive care nurses frequently care for critically ill children and adults who suffer from conditions that might have been prevented. This case study presents the financial breakdown of the costs at each level of care for an 18-year-old college student who suffers terrible consequences of an acetaminophen overdose.