scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on injury prevalence and pattern in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Region: a multicenter study by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, Washington, DC

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000659
Author(s):  
Marc Chodos ◽  
Babak Sarani ◽  
Andrew Sparks ◽  
Brandon Bruns ◽  
Shailvi Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multicenter Study ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Penetrating Trauma ◽  
Motor Vehicle Crash ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Mechanism Of Injury ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects on healthcare systems and society with resultant impact on trauma systems worldwide. This study evaluates the impact the pandemic has had in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Region as compared with similar months in 2019.DesignA retrospective multicenter study of all adult trauma centers in the Washington, DC region was conducted using trauma registry data between January 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020. March 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020 was defined as COVID-19, and January 1, 2019 through February 28, 2020 was defined as pre-COVID-19. Variables examined include number of trauma contacts, trauma admissions, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score, trauma center location (urban vs. suburban), and patient demographics.ResultsThere was a 22.4% decrease in the overall incidence of trauma during COVID-19 compared with a 3.4% increase in trauma during pre-COVID-19. Blunt mechanism of injury decreased significantly during COVID-19 (77.4% vs. 84.9%, p<0.001). There was no change in the specific mechanisms of fall from standing, blunt assault, and motor vehicle crash. The proportion of trauma evaluations for penetrating trauma increased significantly during COVID-19 (22.6% vs. 15.1%, p<0.001). Firearm-related and stabbing injury mechanisms both increased significantly during COVID-19 (11.8% vs. 6.8%, p<0.001; 9.2%, 6.9%, p=0.002, respectively).Conclusions and relevanceThe overall incidence of trauma has decreased since the arrival of COVID-19. However, there has been a significant rise in penetrating trauma. Preparation for future pandemic response should include planning for an increase in trauma center resource utilization from penetrating trauma.Level of evidenceEpidemiological, level III.

The Triage of Injured Patients: Mechanism of Injury, Regardless of Injury Severity, Determines Hospital Destination

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristan Staudenmayer ◽  
N. Ewen Wang ◽  
Thomas G. Weiser ◽  
Paul Maggio ◽  
Robert C. Mackersie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injury Severity ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Health Planning ◽  
Trauma System ◽  
Penetrating Trauma ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Mechanism Of Injury ◽  
Injured Patients

The target rate for trauma undertriage is <5 per cent, but rates are as high as 30 to 40 per cent in many trauma systems. Wehypothesized that high undertriage rates were duetothe tendencyto undertriage injured elderly patients and a growing elderly population. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all hospital visits in California using the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development Database over a 5-year period. All hospital admissions and emergency department visits associated with injury were longitudinally linked. The primary outcome was triage pattern. Triage patterns were stratified across three dimensions: age, mechanism of injury, and access to care. A total of 60,182 severely injured patients were included in the analysis. Fall-related injuries were frequently undertriaged compared with injuries from motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) and penetrating trauma (52% vs 12% and 10%, respectively). This pattern was true for all age groups. Conversely, MVCs and penetrating traumas were associated with high rates of overtriage (>70% for both). In conclusion, in contrast to our hypothesis, we found that triage is largely determined by mechanism of injury regardless of injury severity. High rates of undertriage are largely due to the undertriage of fall-related injuries, which occurs in both younger and older adults. Patients injured after MVCs and penetrating trauma victims are brought to trauma centers regardless of injury severity, resulting in high rates of overtriage. These findings suggest an opportunity to improve trauma system performance.

Trauma Team Activation at a Level I Trauma Center in Southern California: Time of Day Matters

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (10) ◽  
pp. 1142-1145
Author(s):  
Morgan Schellenberg ◽  
Kenji Inaba ◽  
Bryan E. Love ◽  
Zachary Warriner ◽  
Matthew J. Forestiere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injury Severity ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Penetrating Trauma ◽  
Trauma Team ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Operative Intervention ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Mechanism Of Injury ◽  
Trauma Team Activation ◽  
Level I

The ACS Committee on Trauma specifies prehospital criteria that trigger trauma team activation (TTA). The study aims to define the relationship between TTA and time of day, mechanism of injury, and need for operative intervention. All trauma patients presenting to LAC1USC (January 2008–July 2018) after triggering TTA were screened. Patients were excluded if time of ED arrival was undocumented. Demographics, injury data, and outcomes were analyzed. After exclusions (<1%), 54,826 patients were enrolled. The median age was 35 [IQR 23–53]. The median Injury Severity Score was 4 [1–10]. The most common mechanisms of injury were falls (n = 14,166; 31%), auto versus pedestrian collisions (n = 11,921; 26%), and motor vehicle collisions (n = 11,024; 24%). Penetrating trauma comprised 16 per cent (n = 8,686). The busiest hour for TTAs was 19:00 to 20:00, although penetrating trauma was most common between 23:00 and 01:00. Emergent surgical intervention in absolute numbers was most frequent between 20:00 and 01:00. As a proportion of the number of TTAs per hour, emergent operative intervention was most frequent between 23:00 and 06:00. In conclusion, the volume of TTAs and the triggering mechanism of injury vary significantly by time of day. The need for operative intervention is highest overnight. This information can be used to help increase hospital preparedness and allocate resources accordingly.

In-Hospital Outcome Based on the Mode of EMS Transportation in a High-Income Rapidly Developing Middle Eastern Country

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 246
Author(s):  
Hassan Al-Thani ◽  
Ayman El-Menyar ◽  
Yugan Pillay ◽  
Monira Mollazehi ◽  
Ahammed Mekkodathil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Motor Vehicle Crash ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Severe Injuries ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
The Impact

<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) are considered as a standard component of advanced pre-hospital emergency care system. We assessed the clinical presentation and outcomes of trauma patients transported by HEMS versus ground emergency medical services (GEMS).</p><p><strong>METHODS:</strong> A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected trauma registry data at a level I trauma center was conducted for patients transported by GEMS and HEMS between 2011 and 2013. Patients’ data were categorized and analyzed based on the mode of transportation (MOT).</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> A total of 4596 trauma patients were admitted to the hospital with a mean age of 31±15 years. Injured patients were transported to the trauma centre by GEMS (93.3%) and HEMS (6.7%). The common mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle crash (37%) and fall (25%). MVC victims were transported to the hospital by HEMS, whereas, patients with fall and pedestrian injuries (P=0.001 for all) were more likely to be transported by GEMS. Moreover, patients in the HEMS group had a higher frequency of head (p=0.001) and chest (p=0.001) injuries and required prolonged ICU and overall hospital stay (p=0.001). When compared with GEMS, HEMS group were more likely to sustain severe injuries (ISS&gt;15; p=0.001) and needed frequent on-scene intubation (P=0.001). Hospital mortality was grater in HEMS patients (10% vs 4%, p=0.001) in comparison to GEMS. Multivariate analysis, after adjusting for the confounding factors demonstrated that polytrauma and lower scene GCS were the independent predictors of mortality.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Patients transported by HEMS are characterized by greater injury severity, traumatic brain injury and on-scene intubation. Moreover, the mortality is 2.5 fold greater in patients transported by GEMS, however, the impact of MOT on mortality disappear after adjusting for potential confounders. Institutional guidelines that focus on clinical triage criteria, key environmental factors and reducing transport time may be informed by this study. Further investigations are needed to better quantifyestimate the pre-hospital time intervals and to identify the sub-groups of trauma patients who will clearly benefit from the use of HEMS.</p>

scholarly journals Increase in Motor Vehicle Crash Severity: An Unforeseen Consequence of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482110474
Author(s):  
Elinore J. Kaufman ◽  
Daniel Holena ◽  
George Koenig ◽  
Niels D. Martin ◽  
George O. Maish ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injury Severity ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Motor Vehicle Crash ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Crash Severity ◽  
Population Mobility ◽  
Severity Of Injury ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Allocation Decisions ◽  
At Home

Introduction The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to stay-at-home (SAH) orders in Pennsylvania targeted at reducing viral transmission. Limitations in population mobility under SAH have been associated with decreased motor vehicle collisions (MVC) and related injuries, but the impact of these measures on severity of injury remains unknown. The goal of this study is to measure the incidence, severity, and outcomes of MVC-related injuries associated with SAH in Pennsylvania. Materials & Methods We conducted a retrospective geospatial analysis of MVCs during the early COVID-19 pandemic using a state-wide trauma registry. We compared characteristics of patients with MVC-related injuries admitted to Pennsylvania trauma centers during SAH measures (March 21-July 31, 2020) with those from the corresponding periods in 2018 and 2019. We also compared incidence of MVCs for each zip code tabulation area (ZCTA) in Pennsylvania for the same time periods using geospatial mapping. Results Of 15,550 trauma patients treated during the SAH measures, 3486 (22.4%) resulted from MVCs. Compared to preceding years, MVC incidence decreased 10% under SAH measures with no change in mortality rate. However, in ZCTA where MVC incidence decreased, there was a 16% increase in MVC injury severity. Conclusions Stay-at-home orders issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania were associated with significant changes in MVC incidence and severity. Identifying such changes may inform resource allocation decisions during future pandemics or SAH events.

scholarly journals Drug use in Canadian patients with trauma after cannabis legalization

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. E403-E406
Author(s):  
Ian M. Ball ◽  
Fran Priestap ◽  
Neil Parry ◽  
Jacob Pace ◽  
Kelly N. Vogt
Keyword(s):  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Penetrating Trauma ◽  
Trauma Centre ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Trauma Service ◽  
Trauma Population ◽  
The Impact

Background: The federal Cannabis Act came into force on Oct. 17, 2018, in Canada, making Canada only the second country in the world to legalize the cultivation, acquisition, possession and consumption of cannabis and its by-products. This provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact of this legislation on drug-related trauma. Methods: We performed a prospective observational study on the use of cannabis and other illicit drugs in the trauma population at a lead Canadian trauma centre in London, Ontario, in the 3 months before (July 1 to Sept. 30, 2018) and 3 months after (Nov. 1, 2018, to Jan. 31, 2019) the legalization of cannabis in Canada. We defined cannabis use as a positive cannabinoid screen result at the time of assessment by the trauma team. We also screened for opioids, amphetamines and cocaine. Results: A total of 210 patients were assessed by our trauma service between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2018, and 141 patients were assessed between Nov. 1, 2018, and Jan. 31, 2019. Motor vehicle collisions were the most common cause of trauma both before (101 [48.1%]) and after (67 [47.5%]) legalization. The mean Injury Severity Score was 17.6 (standard deviation [SD] 13.0) and 19.7 (SD 14.8), respectively. Drug screens were done in 88 patients (41.9%) assessed before legalization and 99 patients (70.2%) assessed after legalization. There was no difference in the rate of positive cannabinoid screen results before and after legalization (22 [25%] v. 22 [22%]). There was a trend toward higher rates of positive cannabinoid screen results (2/10 [20%] v. 5/8 [62%]) and positive toxicology screen results (5/10 [50%] v. 6/8 [75%]) after legalization among patients with penetrating trauma, but our sample was too small to achieve statistical significance. Conclusion: We found no difference in the rates of positive cannabinoid screen results among patients assessed at our trauma centre in the 3 months before and the 3 months after legalization of cannabis; however, there was a trend toward an increase in the rates of positive results of toxicology screens and cannabinoid screens among those with penetrating trauma. These preliminary single-centre data showing no increased rates of cannabis use in patients with trauma after legalization are reassuring.

scholarly journals Psychological distress following a motor vehicle crash: evidence from a statewide retrospective study examining settlement times and costs of compensation claims

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e017515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Guest ◽  
Yvonne Tran ◽  
Bamini Gopinath ◽  
Ian D Cameron ◽  
Ashley Craig
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Musculoskeletal Injury ◽  
Motor Vehicle Crash ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Vehicle Crash

ObjectiveTo determine whether psychological distress associated with musculoskeletal injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash (MVC), regardless of time of onset, impacts compensation outcomes such as claim settlement times and costs. Second, to identify factors routinely collected by insurance companies that contribute to psychological distress during the compensation process.DesignStatewide retrospective study.Data sourceAnalysis of the New South Wales statewide (Australia) injury register for MVC survivors who lodged a compensation claim from 2011 to 2013.Participants6341 adults who sustained a musculoskeletal injury and who settled a claim for injury after an MVC. Participants included those diagnosed with psychological distress (n=607) versus those not (n=5734).Main outcome measuresTime to settlement and total costs of claims, as well as socio-demographic and injury characteristics that may contribute to elevated psychological distress, such as socio-economic disadvantage, and injury severity.ResultsPsychological distress in those with a musculoskeletal injury was associated with significantly longer settlement times (an additional 17 weeks) and considerably higher costs (an additional $A41 575.00 or 4.3 times more expensive). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for psychological distress including being female, social disadvantage, unemployment prior to the claim, not being at fault in the MVC, requiring ambulance transportation and rehabilitation as part of recovery.ConclusionsResults provide compelling evidence that psychological distress has an adverse impact on people with musculoskeletal injury as they progress through compensation. Findings suggest that additional resources should be directed toward claimants who are at risk (eg, the socially disadvantaged or those unemployed prior to the claim), the major aim being to reduce risk of psychological distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and associated risk of increased settlement times and claim costs. Prospective studies are now required that investigate treatment strategies for those at risk of psychological distress associated with an MVC.

Traumatic Spinal Injuries in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Single-center Medical Record Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Mohammed Alsabieh
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Medical Record ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Spinal Injuries ◽  
Medical Record Review ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Mechanism Of Injury ◽  
Record Review

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective medical record review was to describe the patterns and outcomes of traumatic spinal injuries (TSIs) in a tertiary care trauma center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: Data of all patients who presented at a setting level-1 trauma center with any type of spinal trauma between February 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018 were review. The data obtained included age, gender, nationality (as Saudi and non-Saudi), date of presentation, site of fracture/injury, associated injuries, mechanism of injury, presence of neurological involvement, and hospital mortality. The main outcome of the review was frequencies of different types of TSI across various subgroups. Result: We identified 692 patients who presented with TSI during the study period. The mean age was 36.9 years. Males represented 83.2% (n = 576) of the sample size, and the most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collision (MVC), accounting for 66.8% of the cases (n = 462), while fall-related injuries were seen in 31.6% of the cases (n = 219). A total of 454 (65.6%) of all patients were Saudi, and 332 (73.1%) of the TSIs in Saudis were due to MVC. Non-Saudi cases accounted for 238 (34.4%) of all patients, and 89 (37.4%) of the non-Saudi injuries were due to falls from height, this association was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: TSI was not thoroughly examined in Saudi Arabia; therefore, this study is considered the first to be done in the Kingdom using a representative sample. The fact that non-Saudi patients had a higher proportion of falls as a mechanism of injury should be taken into consideration in terms of raising awareness and taking more safety precautions, as most construction workers tend to be expatriates.

The impact of sex on motor vehicle crash injury outcomes

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Alyssa Ryan ◽  
Francis Tainter ◽  
Cole Fitzpatrick ◽  
Jennifer Gazzillo ◽  
Robin Riessman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Motor Vehicle Crash ◽  
Vehicle Crash ◽  
Injury Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

EXTENSIVE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF TRAUMATIC PNEUMOTHORAX IN SAUDI ARABIA’S POPULATION

2021 ◽  
pp. 32-34
Author(s):  
NASSER ALRASHIDI
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Traumatic Pneumothorax ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Level 1 Trauma Center

Objectives: Traumatic pneumothorax is one of the causes of trauma mortality and morbidity. It is a problem for developing countries as many accidents can be avoided and there are few epidemiological data to support programs injury prevention. The main objective of the current study was to determine demographic characteristics, patterns, and severity of the injury, thoracic, and extra-thoracic related injuries in a Level 1 trauma center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SA). Methods: This retrospective observational study used the King Abdulaziz Medical City Trauma Center’s trauma registry to review the data of traumatic pneumothorax patients admitted to the hospital from January 2001 to December 2018. Demographic characteristics, admission date and time, type and mechanism of injury, involved body area, and severity rates were analyzed. Results: A total of 708 patients of whom 92.3% were males. Blunt trauma (75.8%) is the most common cause of injury. Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA) were the most common cause (57%) of traumatic pneumothorax. Rib fractures (36.5%), lung contusions (31.5%), and hemothorax (23.5%) were the most common clinical forms of chest injury associated with traumatic pneumothorax. On the other hand, the head injury (34.8%) was the most common extra thoracic part associated. The mean Injury Severity Score in the current study was found to be 20.1. Conclusion: This study showed the trends of traumatic pneumothorax injuries in a Level 1 trauma center, Riyadh, SA, showing MVA are the leading cause of traumatic pneumothorax in our region. These demographic data will be crucial for local health-care systems to be optimally resourced.

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