Trauma team leaders in Canada: A national survey

Trauma ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-132
Author(s):  
Vincent Belhumeur ◽  
Christian Malo ◽  
Alexandra Nadeau ◽  
Sandrine Hegg-Deloye ◽  
Anne-Julie Gagné ◽  
...  

Introduction The availability, composition and activation criteria for trauma teams vary across different health care systems, but little is known about these features in the Canadian health system. The aim of this study is to provide a description of the current trauma team available in Level 1 and 2 centres across Canada. Methods In 2017, using a modified Dillman technique, a survey was sent to 210 health professionals across all Canadian trauma care facilities, including questions that focused on (1) the presence and the composition of a trauma team, (2) the established criteria to activate this team and (3) the initial patient care. Results Overall, 107 (57%) completed surveys were received. Only 22 (11.7%) were from Level 1 or 2 centre and considered for compilation. Seventeen respondents have a trauma team in their centre, and they all shared their criteria for activating their team (1–27 different indications). The suspected injuries, the judgment of the emergency physician, the systolic blood pressure, the Glasgow Coma Score and the respiratory rate were the most frequently mentioned items. In the presence of a pre-hospital care warning, the initial assessment of a severely injured patient is exclusively completed by a member of the trauma team for only 35.1% of the respondents. For 11.8% of respondents, trauma team coordinates airway management. For 64.7% of participants, the trauma team leader is the dedicated care provider to accompany patients until the final destination. Conclusions The results suggest a great variability across Canada, regarding the roles assumed by the trauma team but also regarding the activation criteria leading them to take action.

CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S78
Author(s):  
V. Belhumeur ◽  
C. Malo ◽  
A. Nadeau ◽  
S. Hegg ◽  
A. Gagné ◽  
...  

Introduction: It was demonstrated that the early trauma team activation (TTA) could improve younger trauma patients outcomes and mortality rates. However, the link between older patient prognosis improvement and the activation / effectiveness of the Trauma team (TT) is still unclear. There is also a lack of information about the exact and optimal structure of TTs and their activation criteria, which may differ across centers. The main objective of this study is to provide a description of the current TT available in level 1 and 2 centres across Canada. Methods: In 2017, a survey using a modified Dillman technique was sent to 210 health professionals scattered across all Canadian trauma care facilities. The survey included questions regarding 1) the presence and the composition of a TT, 2) the established TT activation criteria, and finally 3) the initial patient care. Results: A total of 107 (57%) completed surveys were received. Among them, only 22 (11.7%) were from level 1 or 2 centres and were therefore considered for analyses. Seventeen respondents had a TT in their centre, and they all shared their TT activation criteria (1 to 27 different indications). Most frequently mentioned criteria were: suspected injuries (58.8%), judgment of the emergency physician (41.2%), systolic blood pressure (47.1%), Glasgow Coma score (35.3%) and respiratory rate (28%). In presence of a prehospital care warning trauma, the initial assessment of a severely injured patient is exclusively completed by a member of the TT for only 35.1% of the respondents. For 11.8% of respondents, TT coordinates airway management. For 64.7% of participants, the TT leader is the dedicated care provider to accompany patients until final orientation. Conclusion: These results suggest a great variability across Canada regarding the roles assumed by the TT, but also regarding the activation criteria leading them to take action.


2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. E17-22
Author(s):  
Mostafa Alhabboubi ◽  
François De Champlain ◽  
Khalifa AlQaydi ◽  
Basem Algamdi ◽  
Joe Nemeth ◽  
...  

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed major limitations on trauma health care systems. This survey aims to identify how Canadian trauma centres altered their processes to care for injured patients and protect their staff during the pandemic. Methods: A survey was distributed to trauma directors at level 1 Canadian adult trauma centres in July 2020. Questions included changes made to the trauma service in preparation for the pandemic, modification to clinical practice and expected lasting modifications after the pandemic. Results: The response rate was 68.4%. All trauma centres modified their treatment and investigation protocols for the pandemic. Most respondents adopted online platforms for meetings and educational activities and used simulation to prepare for COVID-19-infected trauma patients. The approach to who would intubate trauma patients, which trauma patients should be tested for COVID-19 and who should use N95 ventilators, varied among the sites surveyed. Conclusion: All centres modified some of their treatment and investigation protocols for the pandemic but not all modifications were adopted universally. Knowing these steps and comparing them with other global centres will help organize disaster plans for the current and future pandemics.


CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S59
Author(s):  
J. Pace ◽  
B. Tillmann ◽  
I. Ball ◽  
R. Leeper ◽  
N. Parry ◽  
...  

Introduction: Trauma teams have been shown to improve outcomes in severely injured patients. The criteria used to mobilize trauma teams is highly variable and debated. This study was undertaken to define the triage accuracy at our level 1 trauma centre and identify the criteria predictive of appropriate activations. Methods: A 3-month prospective observational study was performed and all patients presenting to the ER who received a trauma flag were identified. Patient demographics, vital signs, trauma team activation and criteria for activation were documented. Trauma activations were deemed appropriate if the patient met any of the following; airway intervention, needle/tube thoracostomy, resuscitative thoracotomy, ED blood product transfusion, invasive hemodynamic monitoring, central line insertion, emergent OR (<8 hours), admission to ICU, and death within 72 hours. Over and undertriage rates were calculated and a multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify activation criteria predictive of appropraite activations. The activation criteria were then modified and the prospective study was repeated to assess the impact on triage accuracy. Results: Between September to December 2015, 188 patients received a trauma flag. 137 patients met the activation criteria, however only 78 received a trauma team activation. 57% of patients who had TTA met the definition of appropriate activation, while 45% who met criteria for activation met the definition of appropriate. The rates of under and overtriage were 30.4% and 30.3%, respectively. Logistic regression revealed the following criteria to be predictive of appropriate activation; hypotension (OR 10.2 95% CI 2.3,45.5), arrival by HEMS (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4,7.6), pedestrian struck (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.4,8.5) and fall (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.7, 15.1). Tachycardia (OR 1.1, 95% 0.3,4.6) and high energy MVC (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.7,3.1) were not found to be predictive. The post-modification study occured between September to December 2016. Data analysis to assess the impact of criteria alteration are currently underway and will be presented at CAEP 2017. Conclusion: Triage accuracy for the mobilization of a multi-disciplinary trauma team is important, both to ensure optimal patient care as well as to reduce unnecessary resource strain. Our previous criteria lead to high rates of undertriage and subsequent modifications have been made. The impact of these changes will be ascertained and presented at CAEP 2017.


2004 ◽  
Vol 171 (4S) ◽  
pp. 42-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yair Latan ◽  
David M. Wilhelm ◽  
David A. Duchene ◽  
Margaret S. Pearle

1967 ◽  
Vol 06 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
P. Hall ◽  
Ch. Mellner ◽  
T. Danielsson

A system for medical information has been developed. The system is a general and flexible one which without reprogramming or new programs can accept any alphabetic and/or numeric information. Coded concepts and natural language can be read, stored, decoded and written out. Medical records or parts of records (diagnosis, operations, therapy, laboratory tests, symptoms etc.) can be retrieved and selected. The system can process simple statistics but even make linear pattern recognition analysis.The system described has been used for in-patients, outpatients and individuals in health examinations.The use of computers in hospitals, health examinations or health care systems is a problem of storing information in a general and flexible form. This problem has been solved, and now it is possible to add new routines like booking and follow-up-systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 09 (04) ◽  
pp. 106-113
Author(s):  
Ysabeau Bernard-Willis ◽  
Emily De Oliveira ◽  
Shaheen E Lakhan

AbstractChildren with epilepsy often have impairments in cognitive and behavioral functioning which may hinder socio-occupational well-being as they reach adulthood. Adolescents with epilepsy have the added worry of health problems while starting the transition from family-centered pediatric care into largely autonomous adult care. If this transition is not appropriately planned and resourced, it may result in medical mistrust, nonadherence, and worsening biopsychosocial health as an adult. In recent years, there has been increased availability of digital health solutions that may be used during this stark change in care and treating teams. The digital health landscape includes a wide variety of technologies meant to address challenges faced by patients, caregivers, medical professionals, and health care systems. These technologies include mobile health products and wearable devices (e.g., seizure monitors and trackers, smartphone passive data collection), digital therapeutics (e.g., cognitive/behavioral health management; digital speech–language therapy), telehealth services (e.g., teleneurology visits), and health information technology (e.g., electronic medical records with patient portals). Such digital health solutions may empower patients in their journey toward optimal brain health during the vulnerable period of pediatric to adult care transition. Further research is needed to validate and measure their impact on clinical outcomes, health economics, and quality of life.


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