The impact of associated diseases on the etiology, course and mortality in geriatric trauma patients

AbstractIntroduction:In January of 2010, North Carolina (NC) USA implemented state-wide Trauma Triage Destination Plans (TTDPs) to provide standardized guidelines for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) decision making. No study exists to evaluate whether triage behavior has changed for geriatric trauma patients.Hypothesis/Problem:The impact of the NC TTDPs was investigated on EMS triage of geriatric trauma patients meeting physiologic criteria of serious injury, primarily based on whether these patients were transported to a trauma center.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study of geriatric trauma patients transported by EMS from March 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009 (pre-TTDP) and March 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010 (post-TTDP) meeting the following inclusion criteria: (1) age 50 years or older; (2) transported to a hospital by NC EMS; (3) experienced an injury; and (4) meeting one or more of the NC TTDP’s physiologic criteria for trauma (n = 5,345). Data were obtained from the Prehospital Medical Information System (PreMIS). Data collected included proportions of patients transported to a trauma center categorized by specific physiologic criteria, age category, and distance from a trauma center.Results:The proportion of patients transported to a trauma center pre-TTDP (24.4% [95% CI 22.7%-26.1%]; n = 604) was similar to the proportion post-TTDP (24.4% [95% CI 22.9%-26.0%]; n = 700). For patients meeting specific physiologic triage criteria, the proportions of patients transported to a trauma center were also similar pre- and post-TTDP: systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg (22.5% versus 23.5%); respiratory rate <10 or >29 (23.2% versus 22.6%); and Glascow Coma Scale (GCS) score <13 (26.0% versus 26.4%). Patients aged 80 years or older were less likely to be transported to a trauma center than younger patients in both the pre- and post-TTDP periods.Conclusions:State-wide implementation of a TTDP had no discernible effect on the proportion of patients 50 years and older transported to a trauma center. Under-triage remained common and became increasingly prevalent among the oldest adults. Research to understand the uptake of guidelines and protocols into EMS practice is critical to improving care for older adults in the prehospital environment.

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Application of a Geriatric Injury Protocol Demonstrates High Survival Rates for Geriatric Trauma Patients with High Injury Acuity

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/000313481708301022 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 83 (10) ◽

pp. 1122-1126

Author(s):

Tigran Karamanukyan ◽

Andrea Pakula ◽

Maureen Martin ◽

Ashwitha Francis ◽

Ruby Skinner

Keyword(s):

Injury Severity ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Geriatric Trauma ◽

Study Cohort ◽

High Survival ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Advanced Directives ◽

Severity Scores ◽

The Mean ◽

The Impact

Geriatric trauma has historically been associated with poor outcomes, particularly in the setting of severe polytrauma. Although geriatric trauma protocols are common, there are limited data on their impact in patients with high injury severity. In this study, we sought to investigate the impact of a geriatric injury protocol on outcomes in patients with severe trauma acuity. Ninety-eight geriatric patients (age ≥65) admitted to our trauma center with injury severity scores (ISS) ≥15 comprised the study cohort. The mean age was 75 ± 7.7 yrs. The mean ISS was 25 ± 9.2, and the mean geriatric trauma outcome score was 150 ± 3. Mortality was 17 per cent and 70 per cent were due to central nervous system injury. When patients with nonsurvivable injuries or advanced directives resulting in early care withdrawal were excluded, the mortality was 6 per cent. Extremes of age did not impact mortality [(>80 years, 21%) vs (65–79, 16%, P = 0.5)]. Most patients (53%) were discharged home. The application of our geriatric trauma protocol led to favorable results despite high injury acuity. These data suggest that even at the extremes of age, a large percentage of patients can be expected to survive. A prospective validation of these findings is warranted.

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Failure to Rescue in Geriatric Trauma: The Impact of Any Complication Increases with Age and Injury Severity in Elderly Trauma Patients

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/00031348211054072 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000313482110540

Author(s):

David P. Stonko ◽

Eric W. Etchill ◽

Katherine A. Giuliano ◽

Sandra R. DiBrito ◽

Daniel Eisenson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Geriatric Patients ◽

Injury Severity ◽

Data Bank ◽

Geriatric Trauma ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Failure To Rescue ◽

Elderly Trauma Patients ◽

Injured Patients ◽

The Impact ◽

Overall Mortality

Introduction The interaction of increasing age, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and complications is not well described in geriatric trauma patients. We hypothesized that failure to rescue rate from any complication worsens with age and injury severity. Methods The National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) was queried for injured patients aged 65 years or older from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2016. Demographics and injury characteristics were used to compare groups. Mortality rates were calculated across subgroups of age and ISS, and captured with heatmaps. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of mortality. Results 614,496 geriatric trauma patients were included; 151,880 (24.7%) experienced a complication. Those with complications tended to be older, female, non-white, have non-blunt mechanism, higher ISS, and hypotension on arrival. Overall mortality was highest (19%) in the oldest (≥86 years old) and most severely injured (ISS ≥ 25) patients, with constant age increasing across each ISS group was associated with a 157% increase in overall mortality ( P < .001, 95% CI: 148-167%). Holding ISS stable, increasing age group was associated with a 48% increase in overall mortality ( P < .001, 95% CI: 44-52%). After controlling for standard demographic variables at presentation, the existence of any complication was an independent predictor of overall mortality in geriatric patients (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 2.2-2.4). Conclusions Any complication was an independent risk factor for mortality, and scaled with increasing age and ISS in geriatric patients. Differences in failure to rescue between populations may reflect critical differences in physiologic vulnerability that could represent targets for interventions.

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The Impact of Age and Receipt Antihypertensives to Systolic Blood Pressure and Shock Index at Injury Scene and in the Emergency Department to Predict Massive Transfusion in Trauma Patients

10.21203/rs.3.rs-33779/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Se Jin Park ◽

Mi Jin Lee ◽

Changho Kim ◽

Haewon Jung ◽

Seong Hun Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Systolic Blood Pressure ◽

Massive Transfusion ◽

Geriatric Trauma ◽

Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Shock Index ◽

Cutoff Value ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background : Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and shock index (SI) are accurate indicators of hemodynamic instability and the need for transfusion in trauma patients. We aimed to determine whether the utility and cutoff point for SBP and SI are affected by age or antihypertensives. Methods : This was a retrospective observational study of a level 1 trauma center between January 2017 and December 2018. We analyzed the utility and cutoff points of SBP and SI for predicting massive transfusion (MT) and 30-day mortality according to patients’ age and whether they were taking antihypertensives. Results : We analyzed 4681 trauma cases. There were 1949 patients aged 65 years or older (41.6%), and 1375 (29.4%) hypertensive patients. MT was given to 137 patients (2.9%). The 30-day mortality rate was 6.3% (n = 294). In geriatric trauma patients taking antihypertensives, prehospital SBP less than 110 mmHg was the cutoff value for predicting MT in multivariate logistic regression analyses; packed red blood cell transfusion volume decreased abruptly based on prehospital SBP of 110 mmHg. Emergency Department SI greater than 1.0 was the cutoff value for the prediction of MT in patients who were older than 65 years who were not taking antihypertensives. Conclusions : The triage of trauma patients is based on the identification of clinical features that are readily identifiable by first responders. However, age and medications may also affect accurate evaluation. In initial trauma management, we must apply SBP and SI differently depending on age, whether a patient is taking antihypertensives, and the time at which the indicators are measured.

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The effect of geriatric comanagement (GC) in geriatric trauma patients treated in a level 1 trauma setting: A comparison of data before and after the implementation of a certified geriatric trauma center

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0244554 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0244554

Author(s):

Sascha Halvachizadeh ◽

Lea Gröbli ◽

Till Berk ◽

Kai Oliver Jensen ◽

Christian Hierholzer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcome ◽

Trauma Center ◽

Geriatric Trauma ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Geriatric Trauma Center ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Before And After ◽

The Impact ◽

Group Post

Introduction Improvements in life expectancy imply that an increase of geriatric trauma patients occurs. These patients require special attention due to their multiple comorbidity issues. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the implementation of geriatric comanagement (GC) on the allocation and clinical outcome of geriatric trauma patients. Methods This observational cohort study aims to compare the demographic development and the clinical outcome in geriatric trauma patients (aged 70 years and older) before and after implementation of a certified geriatric trauma center (GC). Geriatric trauma patients admitted between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 were stratified to group pre-GC and admissions between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 to Group post-GC. We excluded patients requiring end-of-life treatment and those who died within 24 h or due to severe traumatic brain injury. Outcome parameters included demographic changes, medical complexity (measured by American Society of Anaesthesiology Score (ASA) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)), in-hospital mortality and length of hospitalization. Results This study includes 626 patients in Group pre-GC (mean age 80.3 ± 6.7 years) and 841 patients in Group post-GC (mean age 81.1 ± 7.3 years). Group pre-GC included 244 (39.0%) males, group post-GC included 361 (42.9%) males. The mean CCI was 4.7 (± 1.8) points in pre-GC and 5.1 (± 2.0) points in post-GC (p <0.001). In Group pre-GC, 100 patients (16.0%) were stratified as ASA 1 compared with 47 patients (5.6%) in Group post-GC (p <0.001). Group pre-GC had significantly less patients stratified as ASA 3 or higher (n = 235, 37.5%) compared with Group post-GC (n = 389, 46.3%, p <0.001). Length of stay (LOS) decreased significantly from 10.4 (± 20.3) days in Group pre-GC to 7.9 (±22.9) days in Group post-GC (p = 0.011). The 30-day mortality rate was comparable amongst these groups (pre-GC 8.8% vs. post-GC 8.9%). Conclusion This study appears to support the implementation of a geriatric trauma center, as certain improvements in the patient care were found: Despite a higher CCI and a higher number of patients with higher ASA classifications, Hospital LOS, complication rates and mortality did were not increased after implementation of the CG. The increase in the case numbers supports the fact that a higher degree of specialization leads to a response by admitting physicians, as it exceeded the expectable trend of demographic ageing. We feel that a larger data base, hopefully in a multi center set up should be undertaken to verify these results.

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Not all comorbidities are the same: the impact of specific comorbidities on mortality in critically ill geriatric trauma patients

Journal of the American College of Surgeons ◽

10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2013.07.124 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 217 (3) ◽

pp. S59

Author(s):

Elizabeth D. Fox ◽

Daithi S. Heffernan ◽

Charles A. Adams ◽

Thomas J. Miner ◽

Michael D. Connolly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Critically Ill ◽

Geriatric Trauma ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

The Impact

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of The impact of platelet transfusion in massively transfused trauma patients.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.7543958.7839056 ◽

2011 ◽

Author(s):

Babak Sarani

Keyword(s):

Platelet Transfusion ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

The Impact

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Validation of the BATT score for prehospital risk stratification of traumatic haemorrhagic death: usefulness for tranexamic acid treatment criteria

Scandinavian Journal of Trauma Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1186/s13049-020-00827-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Francois-Xavier Ageron ◽

Timothy J. Coats ◽

Vincent Darioli ◽

Ian Roberts

Keyword(s):

Tranexamic Acid ◽

Acid Treatment ◽

Injury Severity ◽

External Validation ◽

Research Network ◽

Brier Score ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Using Data ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Tranexamic acid reduces surgical blood loss and reduces deaths from bleeding in trauma patients. Tranexamic acid must be given urgently, preferably by paramedics at the scene of the injury or in the ambulance. We developed a simple score (Bleeding Audit Triage Trauma score) to predict death from bleeding. Methods We conducted an external validation of the BATT score using data from the UK Trauma Audit Research Network (TARN) from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2018. We evaluated the impact of tranexamic acid treatment thresholds in trauma patients. Results We included 104,862 trauma patients with an injury severity score of 9 or above. Tranexamic acid was administered to 9915 (9%) patients. Of these 5185 (52%) received prehospital tranexamic acid. The BATT score had good accuracy (Brier score = 6%) and good discrimination (C-statistic 0.90; 95% CI 0.89–0.91). Calibration in the large showed no substantial difference between predicted and observed death due to bleeding (1.15% versus 1.16%, P = 0.81). Pre-hospital tranexamic acid treatment of trauma patients with a BATT score of 2 or more would avoid 210 bleeding deaths by treating 61,598 patients instead of avoiding 55 deaths by treating 9915 as currently. Conclusion The BATT score identifies trauma patient at risk of significant haemorrhage. A score of 2 or more would be an appropriate threshold for pre-hospital tranexamic acid treatment.

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Impact of 24/7 Onsite Emergency Radiology Staff Coverage on Emergency Department Workflow

Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal ◽

10.1177/08465371211023861 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 084653712110238

Author(s):

Francesco Macri ◽

Bonnie T. Niu ◽

Shannon Erdelyi ◽

John R. Mayo ◽

Faisal Khosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Major Trauma ◽

Patient Flow ◽

Interrupted Time Series ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

High Acuity ◽

Time Series Approach ◽

Comparison Series ◽

The Impact

Purpose: Assess the impact of 24/7/365 emergency trauma radiology (ETR) coverage on Emergency Department (ED) patient flow in an urban, quaternary-care teaching hospital. Methods: Patient ED visit and imaging information were extracted from the hospital patient care information system for 2008 to 2018. An interrupted time-series approach with a comparison group was used to study the impact of 24/7/365 ETR on average monthly ED length of stay (ED-LOS) and Emergency Physician to disposition time (EP-DISP). Linear regression models were fit with abrupt and permanent interrupts for 24/7/365 ETR, a coefficient for comparison series and a SARIMA error term; subgroup analyses were performed by patient arrival time, imaging type and chief complaint. Results: During the study period, there were 949,029 ED visits and 739,796 diagnostic tests. Following implementation of 24/7/365 coverage, we found a significant decrease in EP-DISP time for patients requiring only radiographs (-29 min;95%CI:-52,-6) and a significant increase in EP-DISP time for major trauma patients (46 min;95%CI:13,79). No significant change in patient throughput was observed during evening hours for any patient subgroup. For overnight patients, there was a reduction in EP-DISP for patients with symptoms consistent with stroke (-78 min;95%CI:-131,-24) and for high acuity patients who required imaging (-33 min;95%CI:-57,-10). Changes in ED-LOS followed a similar pattern. Conclusions: At our institution, 24/7/365 in-house ETR staff radiology coverage was associated with improved ED flow for patients requiring only radiographs and for overnight stroke and high acuity patients. Major trauma patients spent more time in the ED, perhaps reflecting the required multidisciplinary management.

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