Pre-hospital and emergency department management of pelvic fractures and major trauma centre status: Has practice changed?

Trauma ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-211
Author(s):  
Jonathan Barnes ◽  
Philip Thomas ◽  
Ramsay Refaie ◽  
Andrew Gray
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Pelvic Fracture ◽  
Major Trauma ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Trauma Centre ◽  
Pelvic Fractures ◽  
Major Trauma Centre ◽  
Initial Imaging ◽  
One Year

Introduction Pelvic fractures are indicative of high-energy injuries and carry a significant morbidity and mortality and pelvic binders are used to stabilise them in both the pre-hospital and emergency department setting. Our unit gained major trauma centre status in April 2012 as part of a national programme to centralise trauma care and improve outcomes. This study investigated whether major trauma centre status led to a change in workload and clinical practice at our centre. Methods A retrospective analysis of all patients admitted with a pelvic fracture for the six-month periods before, after and at one-year following major trauma centre status designation. Data were retrospectively collected from electronic patient records and binder placement assessed using an accepted method. Patients with isolated pubic rami fractures were excluded. Results Overall, 6/16 (37.5%) pelvic fracture admissions had a binder placed pre-major trauma centre status, rising to 14/34 (41.2%) immediately post-major trauma centre status and 22/32 (68.8%) ( p = 0.025) one year later. Binders were positioned accurately in 4 patients (80%, one exclusion) pre-major trauma centre status, 12 (92.4%) post-major trauma centre status and 22 (100%) at one year. CT imaging was the initial imaging used in 9 (56.3%) patients pre-major trauma centre status, 29 (85.3%) ( p = 0.04) post-major trauma centre status and 27 (84.4%) at one year. Discussion Pelvic fracture admissions doubled following major trauma centre status. Computed tomography, as the initial imaging modality, increased significantly with major trauma centre status, likely a reflection of the increased resources made available with this change. Although binder application rates did not change immediately, a significant improvement was seen after one year, with binder accuracy increasing to 100%. This suggests that although changes in clinical practice often do not occur immediately, with the increased infrastructure and clinical exposure afforded through centralisation of trauma services, they will occur, ultimately leading to improvements in trauma patient care.

scholarly journals 592 Surgical Management of Open Tibia Fractures at A Major Trauma Centre: A Review of Cases Over A One-Year Period

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Khajuria
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Surgical Management ◽  
Open Fracture ◽  
Major Trauma ◽  
Trauma Centre ◽  
Soft Tissue Coverage ◽  
Internal Stabilization ◽  
Major Trauma Centre ◽  
Tibia Fractures ◽  
One Year

Abstract Introduction The BOAST/BAPRAS updated the open fracture guidelines in December 2017 to replace BOAST 4 Open fracture guidelines; the changes gave clearer recommendations for timing of surgery and recommendations for reducing infection rates. Method Our work retrospectively evaluates the surgical management of open tibia fractures at a Major Trauma Centre (MTC), over a one-year period in light of key standards (13,14 and 15 of the standards for open fractures). Results The vast majority of cases (93%) had definitive internal stabilization only when immediate soft tissue coverage was achievable. 90% of cases were not managed as ‘clean cases’ following the initial debridement. 50% of cases underwent definitive closure within 72 hours. The reasons for definitive closure beyond 72hours were: patients medically unwell (20%), multiple wound debridement’s (33%) and no medical or surgical reason was clearly stated (47%). Conclusions The implementation of a ‘clean surgery’ protocol following surgical debridement is essential in diminishing risk of recontamination and infection. Hence, this must be the gold standard and should be clearly documented in operation notes. The extent of availability of a joint Orthoplastic theatre list provides a key limiting step in definitive bony fixation and soft tissue coverage of open tibia fractures.

scholarly journals Missed posterior shoulder fracture dislocations: a new protocol from a London major trauma centre

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e000550
Author(s):  
Alex Peter Magnussen ◽  
Christopher Watura ◽  
Nicola Torr ◽  
Miny Walker ◽  
Dimitri Amiras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Major Trauma ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Trauma Centre ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Shoulder Injury ◽  
Posterior Shoulder ◽  
Major Trauma Centre ◽  
Fracture Dislocations ◽  
Axial View

BackgroundA high incidence of missed posterior shoulder dislocations is widely recognised in the literature. Concern was raised by the upper limb multidisciplinary team at a London major trauma centre that these missed injuries were causing serious consequences due to the need for surgical intervention and poor functional outcome.ObjectiveTo identify factors contributing to missed diagnosis and propose solutions.MethodsA local quality improvement report was performed investigating time from admission to diagnosis of simple posterior dislocations and fracture dislocations over a 5-year period. Factors contributing to a delayed diagnosis were analysed.ResultsThe findings supported current evidence: a posterior shoulder dislocation was more often missed if there was concurrent fracture of the proximal humerus. Anteroposterior and scapular Y view radiographs were not always diagnostic for dislocation. Axial views were more reliable in assessment of the congruency of the joint and were associated with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of the injury.DiscussionAs a result of these findings a new protocol was produced by the orthopaedic and radiology departments and distributed to our emergency department practitioners and radiography team. The protocol included routine axial or modified trauma axial view radiographs for all patients attending the emergency department with a shoulder injury, low clinical suspicion for dislocation and a low threshold for CT scan. Reaudit and ongoing data collection have shown significant increase in axial view radiographs and improved diagnosis.

1416 Trauma Laparotomy: Experience of a Newly Established Major Trauma Centre in Northern Ireland

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Lee ◽  
B Bashabayev ◽  
S Yoong
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Royal Victoria Hospital ◽  
Major Trauma ◽  
Trauma Centre ◽  
Trauma Network ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Major Trauma Centre ◽  
The Mean ◽  
One Year ◽  
Mean Time

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to assess the perioperative pathway and outcomes of trauma laparotomy during a one-year period in a newly established Major Trauma Centre in Northern Ireland. Method Retrospective review of a trauma registry undertaken at the Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital between August 2019 and August 2020. Results During this one-year period, there were a total of 17 trauma laparotomies, with a female-to-male ratio of 6:11, and a mean age of 38.9 years. 15 of 17 cases were due to blunt trauma, with only 2 cases of penetrating trauma. Of trauma laparotomies, 8 were performed during day-time hours (0801-1800), 4 during evening-hours (1801-0000), and 5 during night-time hours (0001-0800). One perioperative death was recorded. The mean time to CT from arrival to ED was 34 minutes (national target of 30 minutes). The mean time until final report was 477 minutes (national target of < 24 hours). The decision to proceed to trauma laparotomy was made prior to the final report in 9 cases. The mean length of inpatient stay for trauma laparotomy patients was 23.3 days, with a mean of 8.9 days spent in critical care. Conclusions This review provides an overview of provision of care for patients who underwent trauma laparotomies in Royal Victoria Hospital MTC and identifies areas for improvement. We plan to prospectively review outcomes following the opening of the Major Trauma Ward on 7th September 2020 and the implementation of the Northern Ireland Major Trauma Network Bypass protocol on 26th October 2020.

Pelvic Binders in Trauma Patients - Are We Doing it Right?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sush Ramakrishna Gowda
Keyword(s):  
High Energy ◽  
Trauma Centre ◽  
Pelvic Fractures ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Pelvic Binder ◽  
Major Trauma Centre ◽  
Fracture Management ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
Pelvic Fracture Management ◽  
And Training

Introduction: Pelvic fractures from high-energy trauma require immediate stabilisation to avoid significant morbidity and mortality. When applied correctly over the level of the greater trochanters (GT) pelvic binders provide adequate stabilisation of unstable pelvic fractures. The aim of this study was to identify the accuracy of placement of pelvic binders in patients presenting to the local Major Trauma Centre (MTC). Methods: A retrospective study was carried out to assess the level of the pelvic binders in relation to the greater trochanters of the patient-classified as optimal or sub-optimal. Results: An initial review of the computed tomography (CT) trauma series in 28 consecutive patients with pelvic binders revealed that more than 50% of the pelvic binders were placed above the level of the GT, reducing the efficacy of the pelvic binders. A regional educational and training day was held with a focus on pelvic fracture management. Following this, a review was conducted on the placement of the pelvic binder in 100 consecutive patients. This confirmed a significant improvement in the position of the pelvic binder by over 70%. Conclusion: Inaccurately positioned pelvic binders provided suboptimal stabilisation of pelvic fractures. With education and awareness, there has been an improvement in the accuracy of pelvic binder placement in trauma patients. This study has highlighted the need for regular audit of current practice, in combination with regular education and training.

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