Elderly Patients with Pelvic Fracture: Interventions and Outcomes

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 291-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey A. Dechert ◽  
Therèse M. Duane ◽  
Brett P. Frykberg ◽  
Michel B. Aboutanos ◽  
Ajai K. Malhotra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Pelvic Fracture ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Pelvic Fractures ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Level I

We examined the outcome of elderly trauma patients with pelvic fractures. Patients 65 years of age and older (elderly) with pelvic fractures were retrospectively compared with patients younger than 65 years with pelvic fractures and also with elderly patients without fracture. Over the study period, 1223 patients sustained a pelvic fracture (younger than 65 years, n = 1066, 87.2%; elderly, n = 157,12.8%). These patients were also compared with 1770 elderly patients with blunt trauma without fracture. Although the pelvic fracture patients were equally matched for Injury Severity Score (21.2 ± 13.4 nonelderly vs 20.5 ± 13.6 elderly), hospital length of stay was increased in the elderly (12.5 ± 13.1 days vs 11.5 ± 14.1 days) and they had a higher mortality rate (20.4% [32 of 157] vs 8.3% 88 of 1066]). The elderly without fracture also had a higher mortality rate when compared with the younger patients (10.9% [191 of 1760]; P < 0.03). The elderly were more likely to die from multisystem organ failure (25.0% [eight of 32] vs 10.2% [nine of 88]), whereas the nonelderly group was more likely to die from exsanguination (45.5% [40 of 88] younger than 65 years vs 21.9% [seven of 32] 65 years or older; P < 0.05). Elderly patients with pelvic fracture have worse outcomes than their younger counterparts despite aggressive management at a Level I trauma center.

Does Platelet Administration Affect Mortality in Elderly Head-Injured Patients Taking Antiplatelet Medications?

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (11) ◽  
pp. 1100-1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas M. Downey ◽  
Benjamin Monson ◽  
Karyn L. Butler ◽  
Gerald R. Fortuna ◽  
Jonathan M. Saxe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Platelet Transfusion ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Head Injured ◽  
Outcome Differences ◽  
Level I ◽  
Injured Patients

A significant portion of patients sustaining traumatic brain injury (TBI) take antiplatelet medications (aspirin or clopidogrel), which have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In an attempt to alleviate the risk of increased bleeding, platelet transfusion has become standard practice in some institutions. This study was designed to determine if platelet transfusion reduces mortality in patients with TBI on antiplatelet medications. Databases from two Level I trauma centers were reviewed. Patients with TBI 50 years of age or older with documented preinjury use of clopidogrel or aspirin were included in our cohort. Patients who received platelet transfusions were compared with those who did not to assess outcome differences between them. Demographics and other patient characteristics abstracted included Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale, hospital length of stay, and warfarin use. Three hundred twenty-eight patients comprised the study group. Of these patients, 166 received platelet transfusion and 162 patients did not. Patients who received platelets had a mortality rate of 17.5 per cent (29 of 166), whereas those who did not receive platelets had a mortality rate of 16.7 per cent (27 of 162) ( P = 0.85). Transfusion of platelets in patients with TBI using antiplatelet therapy did not reduce mortality.

The G60 Trauma Center: A Future Consideration?

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 547-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Bukur ◽  
Joshua Simon ◽  
Joseph Catino ◽  
Margaret Crawford ◽  
Ivan Puente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Major Complication ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Trauma Centers ◽  
Failure To Rescue ◽  
Level I

With a considerably increasing elderly population, we sought to determine whether the volume of elderly trauma patients treated impacted outcomes at two different Level I trauma centers. This is a retrospective review of all elderly patients (>60 years) at two state-verified Level I trauma centers over the past five years. The elderly trauma center (ETC) saw a greater proportion (52%) of elderly patients than the reference trauma center (30%, TC). Demographic and clinical characteristics were abstracted and stratified into ETC and TC groups for comparison. Primary outcomes were overall postinjury complication and mortality rates, as well as death after major complication (failure to rescue). ETC patients were older (78.6 vs 70.5), more likely to be admitted with severe head injuries (head abbreviated injury score ≥ 3, 50.0% vs 32%), had a greater overall injury burden (injury severity score > 16 41.4% vs 21.1%), and required intensive care unit admission (81.3% vs 64%) than the TC group. Need for operative intervention, mechanism of injury, and comorbidities were similar between the two groups. Overall complications were higher in trauma patients admitted to the TC (21.9% vs 14.3%), as well as failure to rescue (4.0% vs 1.8%). Adjusting for confounding factors, ETC had significantly lower chance of developing a postinjury complication (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 0.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.3, 0.5]), failure to rescue (AOR = 0.3, 95% CI = [0.1, 0.5]), and overall mortality (AOR = 0.3, 95% CI = [0.2, 0.4]). Improved outcomes were demonstrated in the Level I center treating a higher proportion of elderly patients. Exact etiology of these benefits should be determined for quality improvement in care of the injured geriatric patient.

scholarly journals Trauma resource pit stop: increasing efficiency in the evaluation of lower severity trauma patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000670
Author(s):  
Imad S Dandan ◽  
Gail T Tominaga ◽  
Frank Z Zhao ◽  
Kathryn B Schaffer ◽  
Fady S Nasrallah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injury Severity ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Trauma Team ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Evaluation Time ◽  
Retrospective Comparison ◽  
Trauma Bay

BackgroundOvertriage of trauma patients is unavoidable and requires effective use of hospital resources. A ‘pit stop’ (PS) was added to our lowest tier trauma resource (TR) triage protocol where the patient stops in the trauma bay for immediate evaluation by the emergency department (ED) physician and trauma nursing. We hypothesized this would allow for faster diagnostic testing and disposition while decreasing cost.MethodsWe performed a before/after retrospective comparison after PS implementation. Patients not meeting trauma activation (TA) criteria but requiring trauma center evaluation were assigned as a TR for an expedited PS evaluation. A board-certified ED physician and trauma/ED nurse performed an immediate assessment in the trauma bay followed by performance of diagnostic studies. Trauma surgeons were readily available in case of upgrade to TA. We compared patient demographics, Injury Severity Score, time to physician evaluation, time to CT scan, hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. Comparisons were made using 95% CI for variance and SD and unpaired t-tests for two-tailed p values, with statistical difference, p<0.05.ResultsThere were 994 TAs and 474 TRs in the first 9 months after implementation. TR’s preanalysis versus postanalysis of the TR group shows similar mean door to physician evaluation times (6.9 vs. 8.6 minutes, p=0.1084). Mean door to CT time significantly decreased (67.7 vs. 50 minutes, p<0.001). 346 (73%) TR patients were discharged from ED; 2 (0.4%) were upgraded on arrival. When admitted, TR patients were older (61.4 vs. 47.2 years, p<0.0001) and more often involved in a same-level fall (59.5% vs. 20.1%, p<0.0001). Undertriage was calculated using the Cribari matrix at 3.2%.DiscussionPS implementation allowed for faster door to CT time for trauma patients not meeting activation criteria without mobilizing trauma team resources. This approach is safe, feasible, and simultaneously decreases hospital cost while improving allocation of trauma team resources.Level of evidenceLevel II, economic/decision therapeutic/care management study.

scholarly journals Does emergency medicine length of stay predict trauma outcomes at a Level 1 Trauma Center?

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Powers Kinney ◽  
Kamal Gursahani ◽  
Eric Armbrecht ◽  
Preeti Dalawari
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Hospital Capacity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Level 1 Trauma Center

Objective: Previous studies looking at emergency department (ED) crowding and delays of care on outcome measures for certain medical and surgical patients excluded trauma patients. The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship of trauma patients’ ED length of stay (EDLOS) on hospital length of stay (HLOS) and on mortality; and to examine the association of ED and hospital capacity on EDLOS.Methods: This was a retrospective database review of Level 1 and 2 trauma patients at a single site Level 1 Trauma Center in the Midwest over a one year period. Out of a sample of 1,492, there were 1,207 patients in the analysis after exclusions. The main outcome was the difference in hospital mortality by EDLOS group (short was less than 4 hours vs. long, greater than 4 hours). HLOS was compared by EDLOS group, stratified by Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS) category (< 0.5, 0.51-0.89, > 0.9) to describe the association between ED and hospital capacity on EDLOS.Results: There was no significant difference in mortality by EDLOS (4.8% short and 4% long, p = .5). There was no significant difference in HLOS between EDLOS, when adjusted for TRISS. ED census did not affect EDLOS (p = .59), however; EDLOS was longer when the percentage of staffed hospital beds available was lower (p < .001).Conclusions: While hospital overcrowding did increase EDLOS, there was no association between EDLOS and mortality or HLOS in leveled trauma patients at this institution.

Placement of Surgical Feeding Tubes Among Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Requiring Exploratory Abdominal Surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 635-642
Author(s):  
Peter I. Cha ◽  
Ronald M. Jou ◽  
David A. Spain ◽  
Joseph D. Forrester
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Abdominal Surgery ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Feeding Tube ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Fascial Closure ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Placement

Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify trauma patients who would benefit from surgical placement of an enteral feeding tube during their index abdominal trauma operation. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to 2 level I trauma centers between January 2013 and February 2018 requiring urgent exploratory abdominal surgery. Results Six-hundred and one patients required exploratory abdominal surgery within 24 hours of admission after trauma activation. Nineteen (3% of total) patients underwent placement of a feeding tube after their initial exploratory surgery. On multivariate analysis, an intracranial Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥4 (odds ratio [OR] = 9.24, 95% CI 1.09-78.26, P = .04) and a Glasgow Coma Scale ≤8 (OR = 4.39, 95% CI 1.38-13.95, P = .01) were associated with increased odds of requiring a feeding tube. All patients who required a feeding tube had an Injury Severity Score ≥15. While not statistically significant, patients with an open surgical feeding tube compared with interventional radiology/percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement had lower median intensive care unit length of stay, fewer ventilator days, and shorter median total hospital length of stay. Conclusions Trauma patients with severe intracranial injury already requiring urgent exploratory abdominal surgery may benefit from early, concomitant placement of a feeding tube during the index abdominal operation, or at fascial closure.

A Prospective Look at the Current State of Open Abdomens

2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 891-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro G.R. Teixeira ◽  
Ali Salim ◽  
Kenji Inaba ◽  
Carlos Brown ◽  
Timothy Browder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Grafting ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Fascial Closure ◽  
Stepwise Logistic Regression ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Closure Rate ◽  
Abdominal Closure ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Level I

The present study examines the current management, closure rate, and complications of open abdomens in trauma patients admitted to an Academic Level I trauma center between May 2004 and April 2007. Variables examined include mechanism, injuries, use of antibiotics and paralytics, type of abdominal closure, days to closure, complications, ICU and hospital length of stay, and mortality. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of failed abdominal closure. Of 900 laparotomies, 93 (10%) were left open. Eighty-five (91%) patients survived for closure opportunity. Definitive fascial closure was achieved in 72 (85%) at 3.9 ± 3.7 days (range 1–21 days). Of the remaining 13 patients, seven were closed with biologic material, five by skin grafting, and one had skin-only closure. Entero-atmospheric fistulas occurred in 14 (15%) patients. Two independent risk factors associated with failed abdominal closure were the presence of deep surgical site infection [odds ratio (OR) 17.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6–115.8, P = 0.003] and intra-abdominal abscess (OR 7.4; 95% CI 1.1–51.0, P = 0.04). In conclusion, open abdomens are commonly necessary after trauma laparotomies. Definitive fascial closure can be achieved in 85 per cent of cases. In conjunction with biologics, closure can be achieved in 93 per cent of cases. Failure to primarily close the abdomen is associated with a significantly higher risk for entero-atmospheric fistula occurrence.

Risk for Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Elderly Trauma Patients

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (10) ◽  
pp. 1114-1117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Finigan ◽  
Jacqueline Pham ◽  
Rosemarie Mendoza ◽  
Michael Lekawa ◽  
Matthew Dolich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Contrast Induced Nephropathy ◽  
History Of ◽  
Elderly Trauma Patients

The objective of this study was to determine if elderly trauma patients are at risk for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). A retrospective study was conducted identifying 362 patients 65 years and older in our Level I trauma center who received computerized tomography (CT) scans with intravenous contrast. CIN was defined as a 25 per cent increase in serum creatinine levels or a 0.5 mg/dL increase above baseline after CT. History of diabetes mellitus, hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and age were recorded. Eighteen per cent (21 of 118) of the patients had a peak in creatinine, 12 per cent (14 of 118) peaked and returned to baseline, and 6 per cent (7 of 118) peaked and stayed high. Pre-CT elevated creatinine, diabetes mellitus, increased hospital length of stay, ISS, and age show little association to CIN. The data suggest that CIN in elderly trauma patients is rare, regardless of history of diabetes mellitus, age, creatinine, high ISS, or result in higher length of stay. Therefore, there is little justification for the delay in diagnosis to assess a patient's renal susceptibility.

scholarly journals Association between Insurance Status and Hospital Length of Stay following Trauma

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian R. Englum ◽  
Xuan Hui ◽  
Cheryl K. Zogg ◽  
Muhammad Ali Chaudhary ◽  
Cassandra Villegas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Insurance Status ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Uninsured Patients ◽  
National Trauma ◽  
Insured Patients ◽  
The Relationship

Previous research has demonstrated that nonclinical factors are associated with differences in clinical care, with uninsured patients receiving decreased resource use. Studies on trauma populations have also shown unclear relationships between insurance status and hospital length of stay (LOS), a commonly used metric for evaluating quality of care. The objective of this study is to define the relationship between insurance status and LOS after trauma using the largest available national trauma dataset and controlling for significant confounders. Data from 2007 to 2010 National Trauma Data Bank were used to compare differences in LOS among three insurance groups: privately insured, publically insured, and uninsured trauma patients. Multivariable regression models adjusted for potential confounding due to baseline differences in injury severity and demographic and clinical factors. A total of 884,493 patients met the inclusion criteria. After adjusting for the influence of covariates, uninsured patients had significantly shorter hospital stays (0.3 days) relative to privately insured patients. Publicly insured patients had longer risk-adjusted LOS (0.9 days). Stratified differences in discharge disposition and injury severity significantly altered the relationship between insurance status and LOS. In conclusion, this study elucidates the association between insurance status and hospital LOS, demonstrating that a patient's ability to pay could alter LOS in acute trauma patients. Additional research is needed to examine causes and outcomes from these differences to increase efficiency in the health care system, decrease costs, and shrink disparities in health outcomes.

Impact of Traumatic Suicide Methods on a Level I Trauma Center

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
James G. Bittner ◽  
Michael L. Hawkins ◽  
Linda R. Atteberry ◽  
Colville H. Ferdinand ◽  
Regina S. Medeiros
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Healthcare Expenditures ◽  
Suicide Methods ◽  
Level I ◽  
Drug And Alcohol ◽  
Related Mortality

Suicide is a major, preventable public health issue. Although firearm-related mechanisms commonly result in death, nonfirearm methods cause significant morbidity and healthcare expenditures. The goal of this study is to compare risk factors and outcomes of firearm and nonfirearm traumatic suicide methods. This retrospective cohort study identified 146 patients who attempted traumatic suicide between 2002 and 2007 at a Level I trauma center. Overall, mean age was 40.2 years, 83 per cent were male, 74 per cent were white, and mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 12.7. Most individuals (53%) attempted suicide by firearms and 25 per cent died (84% firearm, 16% nonfirearm techniques). Subjects were more likely to die if they were older than 60 years-old, presented with an ISS greater than 16, or used a firearm. On average, patients using a firearm were older and had a higher ISS and mortality rate compared with those using nonfirearm methods. There was no statistical difference between cohorts with regard to gender, ethnicity, positive drug and alcohol screens, requirement for operation, intensive care unit admission, and hospital length of stay. Nonfirearm traumatic suicide prevention strategies aimed at select individuals may decrease overall attempts, reduce mechanism-related mortality, and potentially impact healthcare expenditures.

Trauma Attending Physician Continuity: Does it Make a Difference?

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-54
Author(s):  
David G. Jacobs ◽  
Jennifer L. Sarafin ◽  
Karen E. Head ◽  
A Britt Christmas ◽  
Toan Huynh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Trauma Service ◽  
Retrospective Comparison ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Attending Physician

Continuity of care is important in achieving optimal outcomes in trauma patients, but the optimal length of the trauma attending (TA) rotation is unknown. We hypothesize that longer TA rotations provide greater continuity, and therefore improve outcomes. We did a retrospective comparison of trauma patient outcomes from two consecutive 6-month periods during which we transitioned from a 1-month TA rotation to a 1-week TA rotation. The Wilcoxon rank sum test, and the χ2 were used for statistical analysis. Over the 12-month study period 1924 patients were admitted to the Trauma Service. The two groups were similar with regard to age, gender, injury mechanism, Injury Severity Score and Glasgow Coma Scale scores, and Abbreviated Injury Scores for the chest, abdomen, and extremities. Although mortality, patient charges, and violations of the standard of care were similar between the two groups, overall morbidity was lower (18.6% vs 23.2%), and hospital length of stay higher (9.07 days vs 8.41 days) in the 1-week TA group compared with the 1-month TA group. A one-week TA rotation was associated with a longer hospital length of stay, but improved morbidity. Longer TA rotations do not necessarily provide improved continuity or improved outcomes.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document