Is Helicopter Evacuation Effective in Rural Trauma Transport?

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 794-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie K. Rose ◽  
G. R. Cummings ◽  
Charles B. Rodning ◽  
Sid B. Brevard ◽  
Richard P. Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Transport Services ◽  
Ground Ambulance ◽  
Level I

Helicopter transport for trauma remains controversial because its appropriate utilization and efficacy with regard to improved survival is unproven. The purpose of this study was to assess rural trauma helicopter transport utilization and effect on patient survival. A retrospective chart review over a 2-year period (2007–2008) was performed of all rural helicopter and ground ambulance trauma patient transports to an urban Level I trauma center. Data was collected with regard to patient mortality and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Miles to the Level I trauma center were calculated from the point where helicopter or ground ambulance transport services initiated contact with the patient to the Level I trauma center. During the 2-year period, 1443 rural trauma patients were transported by ground ambulance and 1028 rural trauma patients were transported by helicopter. Of the patients with ISS of 0 to 10, 471 patients were transported by helicopter and 1039 transported by ground. There were 465 (99%) survivors with ISS 0 to 10 transported by helicopter with an average transport distance of 34.6 miles versus 1034 (99.5%) survivors with ISS 0 to 10 who were transported by ground an average of 41.0 miles. Four hundred and twenty-one patients with ISS 11 to 30 were transported by helicopter an average of 33.3 miles with 367 (87%) survivors versus a 95 per cent survival in 352 patients with ISS 11 to 30 who were transported by ground an average of 39.9 miles. One hundred and thirty-six patients with ISS >30 were transported by helicopter an average of 32.8 miles with 78 (57%) survivors versus a 69 per cent survival in 52 patients with ISS > 30 who were transported by ground an average of 33.0 miles. Helicopter transport does not seem to improve survival in severely injured (ISS > 30) patients. Helicopter transport does not improve survival and is associated with shorter travel distances in less severely injured (ISS < 10) patients in rural areas. This data questions effective helicopter utilization for trauma patients in rural areas. Further study with regard to helicopter transport effect on patient survival and cost-effective utilization is warranted.

scholarly journals Influence of a Stay-At-Home Order on Trauma Volume and Injury Patterns at a Level I Trauma Center in Ohio

2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482110474
Author(s):  
Gregory S. Huang ◽  
Elisha A. Chance ◽  
C. Michael Dunham
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Center ◽  
Drug Testing ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Injury Patterns ◽  
Trauma Service ◽  
Level I ◽  
At Home

Background Changes in injury patterns during the COVID pandemic have been reported in other states. The objective was to explore changes to trauma service volume and admission characteristics at a trauma center in northeast Ohio during a stay-at-home order (SAHO) and compare the 2020 data to historic trauma census data. Methods Retrospective chart review of adult trauma patients admitted to a level I trauma center in northeast Ohio. Trauma admissions from January 21 to July 21, 2020 (COVID period) were compared to date-matched cohorts of trauma admissions from 2018 to 2019 (historic period). The COVID period was further categorized as pre-SAHO, active-SAHO, and post-SAHO. Results The SAHO was associated with a reduction in trauma center admissions that increased after the SAHO ( P = .0033). Only outdoor recreational vehicle (ORV) injuries ( P = .0221) and self-inflicted hanging ( P = .0028) mechanisms were increased during the COVID period and had substantial effect sizes. Glasgow Coma Scores were lower during the COVID period ( P = .0286) with a negligible effect size. Violence-related injuries, injury severity, mortality, and admission characteristics including alcohol and drug testing and positivity were similar in the COVID and historic periods. Discussion The SAHO resulted in a temporary decrease in trauma center admissions. Although ORV and hanging mechanisms were increased, other mechanisms such as alcohol and toxicology proportions, injury severity, length of stay, and mortality were unchanged.

Blood Utilization at a Level I Trauma Center: Is this as Good as it Gets?

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
pp. 693-698
Author(s):  
Sebron W. Harrison ◽  
Russell L. Griffin ◽  
Jeffrey D. Kerby ◽  
Marisa B. Marques ◽  
Loring W. Rue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injury Severity Score ◽  
Severity Score ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Level I ◽  
Rbc Transfusion

Recognition of the adverse effects of allogeneic blood resulted in the decreased use of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in surgical practice in the 1990s. Our objective was to evaluate patterns of RBC transfusion utilization among trauma patients during the current decade. Blunt trauma patients admitted to a regional trauma center between 2000 and 2007 were identified (n = 16,011). Annual trends in RBC utilization were estimated (negative binomial regression for continuous dependent variables and logistic regression for dichotomous variables). Models were stratified by Injury Severity Score to adjust for injury severity. Although the proportion of patients receiving a blood transfusion within 48 hours of hospitalization significantly increased ( P < 0.0001), there was no significant change in the rate of units transfused ( P = 0.5152) among transfused patients. After stratification by Injury Severity Score, a significantly decreasing trend in the proportion of severely injured patients transfused was observed ( P = 0.0243). Annual variation in the relatively less injured groups was not significant. In the current decade, transfusion utilization at a Level I trauma center has demonstrated minimal variation on a year-to-year basis. Among the severely injured, the temporal decrease in relatively early utilization of RBC transfusion may reflect increasing inclination to accept a greater degree of anemia in higher acuity patients.

Initial Approach to the Management of Multisystem Trauma

2019 ◽  
pp. 397-401
Author(s):  
David S. Morris
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Level Ii ◽  
Level I ◽  
Nonfatal Injuries ◽  
Injured Patients

Nearly 200,000 people die of injury-related causes in the United States each year, and injury is the leading cause of death for all patients aged 1 to 44 years. Approximately 30 million people sustain nonfatal injuries each year, which results in about 29 million emergency department visits and 3 million hospital admissions. Management of severely injured patients, typically defined as having an Injury Severity Score greater than 15 is best managed in a level I or level II trauma center. Any physician who provides care for critically ill patients should have a basic familiarity with the fundamentals of trauma care.

Delays in Transfer of Elderly Less-injured Trauma Patients Can Have Deadly Consequences

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 1132-1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter E. Fischer ◽  
Paul D. Colavita ◽  
Gregory P. Fleming ◽  
Toan T. Huynh ◽  
A. Britton Christmas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Severely Injured Patients ◽  
Local Trauma ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Injured Patients ◽  
Level 1 Trauma Center

Transfer of severely injured patients to regional trauma centers is often expedited; however, transfer of less-injured, older patients may not evoke the same urgency. We examined referring hospitals’ length of stay (LOS) and compared the subsequent outcomes in less-injured transfer patients (TP) with patients presenting directly (DP) to the trauma center. We reviewed the medical records of less-injured (Injury Severity Score [ISS] 9 or less), older (age older than 60 years) patients transferred to a regional Level 1 trauma center to determine the referring facility LOS, demographics, and injury information. Outcomes of the TP were then compared with similarly injured DP using local trauma registry data. In 2011, there were 1657 transfers; the referring facility LOS averaged greater than 3 hours. In the less-injured patients (ISS 9 or less), the average referring facility LOS was 3 hours 20 minutes compared with 2 hours 24 minutes in more severely injured patients (ISS 25 or greater, P < 0.05). The mortality was significantly lower in the DP patients (5.8% TP vs 2.6% DP, P = 0.035). Delays in transfer of less-injured, older trauma patients can result in poor outcomes including increased mortality. Geographic challenges do not allow for every patient to be transported directly to a trauma center. As a result, we propose further outreach efforts to identify potential causes for delay and to promote compliance with regional referral guidelines.

Blood Transfusions in Trauma: Six-Year Analysis of the Transfusion Practices at a Level I Trauma Center

2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 953-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro G.R. Teixeira ◽  
Didem Oncel ◽  
Demetrios Demetriades ◽  
Kenji Inaba ◽  
Ira Shulman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Fresh Frozen Plasma ◽  
Blood Transfusions ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Packed Red Blood Cells ◽  
Fresh Frozen ◽  
Level I ◽  
Injured Patients

The objective of this study was to analyze the transfusion practices in trauma patients in one institution. A retrospective analysis of the Trauma Registry linked with the Blood Bank Database of a Level 1 trauma center was conducted. Over 6 years, 17 per cent of the 25,599 trauma patients received blood transfusions. The overall mortality in transfused patients was 20 per cent and remained the same during the study period. There was no change in the proportion of patients receiving transfusions throughout the years, however there was a significant 23.5 per cent reduction in the mean number of packed red blood cells (PRBC) units transfused (P < 0.001 for trend). This reduction in PRBC used remained true and even more evident in the group of more severely injured patients (Injury Severity Score ≥ 16), with a 27.9 per cent decrease in mean units of PRBC (P < 0.001 for trend). The highest reduction in PRBC transfusion was seen in blunt trauma patients (34.6%, P < 0.001). During the study period there was a concurrent increase in mean units of fresh frozen plasma used (60.7%, P < 0.001) and no change in the use of platelets and cryoprecipitate. In conclusion, transfusions of PRBC were significantly reduced over time in trauma patients without any evident negative impact on mortality.

Laparoscopy in the Evaluation of Blunt Abdominal Injury in Level-I and II Pediatric Trauma Centers

2022 ◽  
pp. 000313482110335
Author(s):  
Aryan Haratian ◽  
Areg Grigorian ◽  
Karan Rajalingam ◽  
Matthew Dolich ◽  
Sebastian Schubl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Surgery ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Pediatric Trauma ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Blunt Abdominal Injury ◽  
Level Ii ◽  
American College Of Surgeons ◽  
Level I

Introduction An American College of Surgeons (ACS) Level-I (L-I) pediatric trauma center demonstrated successful laparoscopy without conversion to laparotomy in ∼65% of trauma cases. Prior reports have demonstrated differences in outcomes based on ACS level of trauma center. We sought to compare laparoscopy use for blunt abdominal trauma at L-I compared to Level-II (L-II) centers. Methods The Pediatric Trauma Quality Improvement Program was queried (2014-2016) for patients ≤16 years old who underwent any abdominal surgery. Bivariate analyses comparing patients undergoing abdominal surgery at ACS L-I and L-II centers were performed. Results 970 patients underwent abdominal surgery with 14% using laparoscopy. Level-I centers had an increased rate of laparoscopy (15.6% vs 9.7%, P = .019 ); however they had a lower mean Injury Severity Score (16.2 vs 18.5, P = .002) compared to L-II centers. Level-I and L-II centers had similar length of stay ventilator days, and SSIs (all P > .05). Conclusion While use of laparoscopy for pediatric trauma remains low, there was increased use at L-I compared to L-II centers with no difference in LOS or SSIs. Future studies are needed to elucidate which pediatric trauma patients benefit from laparoscopic surgery.

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.

A Contemporary Analysis of the Effect of Trauma Center Verification Level on Mortality in Severe Injury

2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482110234
Author(s):  
David S. Plurad ◽  
Glenn Geesman ◽  
Nicholas W. Sheets ◽  
Bhani Chawla-Kondal ◽  
Napatakamon Ayutyanont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Program Participant ◽  
Level Ii ◽  
Level I ◽  
Verification Process ◽  
Injured Patients ◽  
The Impact

Background Literature demonstrates increased mortality for the severely injured at a Level II vs. Level I center. Our objective is to reevaluate the impact of trauma center verification level on mortality for patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15 utilizing more contemporary data. We hypothesize that there would be no mortality discrepancy. Study Design Utilizing the ACS Trauma Quality Program Participant Use File admission year 2017, we identified severely injured (ISS >15) adult (age >15 years) patients treated at an ACS-verified Level I or Level II center. We excluded patients who underwent interfacility transfer. Logistic regression was performed to determine adjusted associations with mortality. Results There were 63 518 patients included, where 43 680 (68.8%) were treated at a Level I center and 19 838 (31.2%) at a Level II. Male gender (70.1%) and blunt injuries (92.0%) predominated. Level I admissions had a higher mean ISS [23.8 (±8.5) vs. 22.9 (±7.8), <.001], while Level II patients were older [mean age (y) 52.3 (±21.6) vs. 48.6 (±21.0), <.001] with multiple comorbidities (37.7% vs. 34.9%, <.001). Adjusted mortality between Level I and II centers was similar (12.0% vs. 11.8%, .570). Conclusions Despite previous findings, mortality outcomes are similar for severely injured patients treated at a Level I vs. Level II center. We theorize that this relates to mandated Level II resourcing as defined by an updated American College of Surgeons verification process.

Hyperglycemia and Infections in Pediatric Trauma Patients

2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Tuggle ◽  
M. Ann Kuhn ◽  
Susan K. Jones ◽  
Jennifer J. Garza ◽  
Sean Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Pediatric Trauma ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Severely Injured ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Level I

Hyperglycemia has been associated with poor outcome in children with head injuries and burns. However, there has not been a correlation noted between hyperglycemia and infections in severely injured children. The trauma registry of a Level I trauma center was queried for injured children <13 years admitted between July 1, 1999 and August 31, 2003. The records of severely injured children [Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15] were examined for survival, age, weight, ISS, infection, length of stay (LOS), and maximum glucose levels within the first 24 hours of injury (D1G). Statistical analysis was performed using a t test, Fisher's exact test, a Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test, or Kendall's Tau where appropriate. Eight hundred and eighty eight children under 13 years of age were admitted. One hundred and nine had an ISS > 15, and 57 survived to discharge with measured D1G. Patients excluded were those who died in less than 72 hours or had an LOS less than 72 hours. The survivors were divided into high glucose (≥130 mg/dL; n = 48) and normal glucose (<130 mg/dL; n = 9). There was no difference between the groups with respect to age, weight, incidence of head injury, and ISS. An elevated D1G correlated with an increased risk of infection (P = 0.05) and an increased LOS (P = 0.01). These data suggest that severely injured children are often hyperglycemic in the first 24 hours after injury. Hyperglycemia in this study population correlated with an increased incidence of infection and increased length of stay. This suggests that strict control of hyperglycemia in injured children may be beneficial.

Elevated Blood Alcohol Level May be Protective of Trauma Patient Mortality

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 950-953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arezou Yaghoubian ◽  
Amy Kaji ◽  
Brant Putnam ◽  
Nicholas De Virgilio ◽  
Christian De Virgilio
Keyword(s):  
Blunt Trauma ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Blood Alcohol Level ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
Level I

To determine whether a positive blood alcohol level (BAL) affects morbidity and mortality at a Level I trauma center, a retrospective review of trauma patients 18 years of age and older was performed. There were 7985 trauma patients and 8 per cent (645) had a positive BAL. BAL(+) patients had lower Injury Severity Score (ISS) (8 vs 11, P < 0.01), lower rate of penetrating injury (9 vs 25%, P < 0.01), and were older (38 vs 32 years, P = 0.01). Overall there were 559 deaths (7%); (1% mortality in BAL(+) patients and 7% in BAL(-) patients; P < 0.0001). There were 352 (4.4%) complications with similar rates among BAL(-) and (+) patients. On univariate analysis, a positive BAL was inversely associated with death (OR, 0.17) as was blunt trauma (OR, 0.29), whereas older age (OR 1.009) and increased ISS (OR 1.13) were associated with death. On multivariable analysis, after adjusting for age, ISS, and mechanism of injury, a positive BAL remained protective against death (OR 0.35) as did blunt trauma (OR 0.2). Age (OR 1.04) and increased ISS (OR 1.19) were associated with mortality. In conclusion, a positive BAL was associated with a decreased mortality risk in trauma patients, which persisted after adjusting for multiple confounding variables.

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