scholarly journals The Patterns and Impact of Off-Working Hours, Weekends and Seasonal Admissions of Patients with Major Trauma in a Level 1 Trauma Center

Author(s):  
Husham Abdelrahman ◽  
Hassan Al-Thani ◽  
Naushad Ahmad Khan ◽  
Monira Mollazehi ◽  
Mohammad Asim ◽  
...  

Background: The trauma incidence follows specific patterns in different societies and is expected to increase over the weekend and nighttime. We aimed to explore and analyze the incidence, pattern, and severity of trauma at different times (working hours vs. out off-working hours, weekdays vs. weekends and season). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted at a level 1 trauma facility in Qatar. All injured patients admitted between June 2017 and May 2018 were included. The data were analyzed to determine whether outcomes and care parameters of these patients differed between regular working hours and off-working hours, weekdays vs. weekends, and between season intervals. Results: During the study period, 2477 patients were admitted. A total of 816 (32.9%) patients presented during working hours and 1500 (60.6%) during off-working hours. Off-working hours presentations differed significantly with the injury severity score (ISS) (p  <  0.001), ICU length of stay (p  =  0.001), blood transfusions (p = 0.001), intubations (p = 0.001), mortality rate (9.7% vs. 0.7%; p < 0.001), and disposition to rehabilitation centers. Weekend presentations were significantly associated with a higher ISS (p = 0.01), Priority 1 trauma activation (19.1% vs. 14.7%; p = 0005), and need for intubation (21% vs. 16%; p = 0.002). The length of stay (ICU and hospital), mortality, and disposition to rehabilitation centers and other clinical parameters did not show any significant differences. No significant seasonal variation was observed in terms of admissions at the trauma center. Conclusions: The off-working hours admission showed an apparent demographic effect in involved mechanisms, injury severity, and trauma activations, while outcomes, especially the mortality rate, were significantly different during nights but not during the weekends. The only observed seasonal effect was a decrease in the number of admissions during the summer break.

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Powers Kinney ◽  
Kamal Gursahani ◽  
Eric Armbrecht ◽  
Preeti Dalawari

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000701
Author(s):  
Leah E Larson ◽  
Melissa L Harry ◽  
Paul K Kosmatka ◽  
Kristin P Colling

BackgroundTrauma systems in rural areas often require longdistance transfers for definitive care. Delays in care, such as delayed femurfracture repair have been reported to be associated with poorer outcomes, butlittle is known about how transfer time affects time to repair or outcomesafter femur fractures.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of all trauma patients transferred to our level 1 rural trauma center between May 1, 2016-April 30, 2019. Patient demographics and outcomes were abstracted from chart and trauma registry review. All patients with femur fractures were identified. Transfer time was defined as the time from admission at the initial hospital to admission at the trauma center, and time to repair was defined as time from admission to the trauma center until operative start time. Our outcome variables were mortality, in-hospital complications, and hospital length of stay (LOS).ResultsOver the study period1,887 patients were transferred to our level 1 trauma center and 398 had afemur fracture. Compared to the entire transfer cohort, femur fracture patientswere older (71 versus 57 years), and more likely to be female (62% versus 43%).The majority (74%) of patients underwent fracture repair within 24hours. Delay in fracture fixation >24 hours wasassociated with increased length of stay (5 days versus 4 days; p<0.001),higher complication rates (23% versus 12%; p=0.01), and decreased dischargehome (19% vs. 32%, pp=0.02), but was not associated with mortality (6% versus5%; p=0.75). Transfer time and time at the initial hospital were not associatedwith mortality, complication rate, or time to femur fixation.DiscussionFixation delay greater than 24 hours associated with increased likelihood of in-hospital complications, longer length of stay, and decreased likelihood of dischargehome. Transfer time not related to patient outcomes or time to femur fixation.Level of evidenceLevel III; therapeutic/care management.


Author(s):  
NASSER ALRASHIDI

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.


2020 ◽  
pp. 088506661989083
Author(s):  
Julie M. Thomson ◽  
Hanh H. Huynh ◽  
Holly M. Drone ◽  
Jessica L. Jantzer ◽  
Albert K. Tsai ◽  
...  

Background: Evidence for tranexamic acid (TXA) in the pharmacologic management of trauma is largely derived from data in adults. Guidance on the use of TXA in pediatric patients comes from studies evaluating its use in cardiac and orthopedic surgery. There is minimal data describing TXA safety and efficacy in pediatric trauma. The purpose of this study is to describe the use of TXA in the management of pediatric trauma and to evaluate its efficacy and safety end points. Methods: This retrospective, observational analysis of pediatric trauma admissions at Hennepin County Medical Center from August 2011 to March 2019 compares patients who did and did not receive TXA. The primary end point is survival to hospital discharge. Secondary end points include surgical intervention, transfusion requirements, length of stay, thrombosis, and TXA dose administered. Results: There were 48 patients aged ≤16 years identified for inclusion using a massive transfusion protocol order. Twenty-nine (60%) patients received TXA. Baseline characteristics and results are presented as median (interquartile range) unless otherwise specified, with statistical significance defined as P < .05. Patients receiving TXA were more likely to be older, but there was no difference in injury type or Injury Severity Score at baseline. There was no difference in survival to discharge or thrombosis. Patients who did not receive TXA had numerically more frequent surgical intervention and longer length of stay, but these did not reach significance. Conclusions: TXA was utilized in 60% of pediatric trauma admissions at a single level 1 trauma center, more commonly in older patients. Although limited by observational design, we found patients receiving TXA had no difference in mortality or thrombosis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 1132-1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter E. Fischer ◽  
Paul D. Colavita ◽  
Gregory P. Fleming ◽  
Toan T. Huynh ◽  
A. Britton Christmas ◽  
...  

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.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s166-s166
Author(s):  
D.M. Higgins ◽  
R.E. Thaxton

IntroductionWith the current need for effective trauma center utilization, understanding how current trauma triage criteria may promote overtriage will enable both field and hospital teams to provide the most appropriate patient care. It is hypothesized that current Southwest Texas trauma criteria promote overtriage by prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) of patients in favor of a Level 1 trauma facility when compared to physician assessment and Injury Severity Score (ISS).MethodsThis prospective, observational study at a Southwest Texas military Level 1 trauma center compared adult trauma patients' prehospital status noted by EMS personnel with the triage criteria documented by the treating emergency physician. The patients were divided into four groups: Prehospital Criteria Met or Not Met; Arrival Criteria Met or Not Met. Each patient's ISS and mechanism of injury were also collected and compared to initial assessment for predictive value. Descriptive statistics were used.ResultsThe study enrolled 278 adult trauma patients. EMS reported Level 1 trauma status similar to physician assessment (60.1% vs. 59.7%, respectively). The rates patients met Level 1 trauma status corresponded with trauma severity when compared to the ISS. Assessment between EMS and physicians for ISSs were similar among the four groups. Comparisons using multivariate analysis of the four groups found similar ISSs, except for the Prehospital Criteria Met/Arrival Criteria Not Met group. Seventy-five percent of these patients were assigned an ISS in the Minor (ISS < 9) category (p = 0.013).ConclusionTrauma triage criteria assessment skills were similar between EMS personnel and emergency physicians except for identifying minor trauma patients. While the criteria generally led to overtriage, EMS crews appear to overtriage minor trauma patients at a much higher rate.


Author(s):  
Wei-Ti Su ◽  
Shao-Chun Wu ◽  
Sheng-En Chou ◽  
Chun-Ying Huang ◽  
Shiun-Yuan Hsu ◽  
...  

Background: Hyperglycemia at admission is associated with an increase in worse outcomes in trauma patients. However, admission hyperglycemia is not only due to diabetic hyperglycemia (DH), but also stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH). This study was designed to evaluate the mortality rates between adult moderate-to-severe thoracoabdominal injury patients with admission hyperglycemia as DH or SIH and in patients with nondiabetic normoglycemia (NDN) at a level 1 trauma center. Methods: Patients with a glucose level ≥200 mg/dL upon arrival at the hospital emergency department were diagnosed with admission hyperglycemia. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was diagnosed when patients had an admission glycohemoglobin A1c ≥6.5% or had a past history of DM. Admission hyperglycemia related to DH and SIH was diagnosed in patients with and without DM. Patients who had a thoracoabdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale score <3, a polytrauma, a burn injury and were below 20 years of age were excluded. A total of 52 patients with SIH, 79 patients with DH, and 621 patients with NDN were included from the registered trauma database between 1 January 2009, and 31 December 2018. To reduce the confounding effects of sex, age, comorbidities, and injury severity of patients in assessing the mortality rate, different 1:1 propensity score-matched patient populations were established to assess the impact of admission hyperglycemia (SIH or DH) vs. NDN, as well as SIH vs. DH, on the outcomes. Results: DH was significantly more frequent in older patients (61.4 ± 13.7 vs. 49.8 ± 17.2 years, p < 0.001) and in patients with higher incidences of preexisting hypertension (2.5% vs. 0.3%, p < 0.001) and congestive heart failure (3.8% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.014) than NDN. On the contrary, SIH had a higher injury severity score (median [Q1–Q3], 20 [15–22] vs. 13 [10–18], p < 0.001) than DH. In matched patient populations, patients with either SIH or DH had a significantly higher mortality rate than NDN patients (10.6% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.022, and 5.3% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.043, respectively). However, the mortality rate was insignificantly different between SIH and DH (11.4% vs. 8.6%, odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.29–6.66; p = 0.690). Conclusion: This study revealed that admission hyperglycemia in the patients with thoracoabdominal injuries had a higher mortality rate than NDN patients with or without adjusting the differences in patient’s age, sex, comorbidities, and injury severity.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s39-s39
Author(s):  
S. Chauhan ◽  
S. Bhoi ◽  
D.T. Sinha ◽  
M. Rodha ◽  
L. Alexender ◽  
...  

Background and ObjectiveImmediate resuscitation and early disposition to definitive care improves outcomes. Homeless patients are neglected in emergency department (ED). The duration of ED stay and profile of injury of homeless patients at a Level-1 Trauma center were measured.MethodsThe study was performed from October 2008 to September 2009. Homeless patients were defined as patients who had no attendant and did not have any shelter. Duration of ED stay was noted from the ED arrival time to entry time at the definitive care (intensive care unit/ward). Clinical and demographic details were recorded. Subjects who had: (1) an attendant; (2) were discharged from the ED; or (3) expired in the ED were excluded.ResultsForty-one homeless patients were admitted. The mode of injury was road traffic crash in 73.2%; assault in 7.3%; fall from height in 7.3%; and in 12.2%, the mode of injury unknown. The average Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 6.76, with a maximum of 34 and minimum of 1. A total of 24 subjects (59%) had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of ≤ 8 (severe head injury), 10 patients (24%) had GCS score 9–12 (moderate head injury), and seven subjects (17%) had GCS score 13–15 (minor head injury). Breath alcohol test was positive in 13%. The average duration of ED stay was 35 (3–173) hours in the homeless group and 12 (0.5–18) hours for patients with an attendant. Twenty-one subjects were admitted to neurosurgery (51.2%) with an average ED stay of 22.4 hours, five to surgery (12.20%) with average ED stay of 56.6 hours, and 15 to orthopedics (36.6%) with average ED stay of 45.3 hours.ConclusionsThe emergency department stay of homeless patients was 35 hours. Orthopedic trauma subjects had a prolonged disposal time. This addresses serious patient safety concerns and immediate remedial measures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (6) ◽  
pp. 1880-1885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miner Ross ◽  
Priscilla S. Pang ◽  
Ahmed M. Raslan ◽  
Nathan R. Selden ◽  
Justin S. Cetas

OBJECTIVEConventional management of patients with neurotrauma frequently consists of routine, repeat head CT at preordained intervals with ICU-level monitoring, regardless of injury severity. The Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG) are a classification tool for stratifying patients into injury severity and risk-of-progression categories based on presenting clinical and radiographic findings. In the present study, the authors aimed to validate BIG criteria at a single level 1 trauma center.METHODSPatients were classified according to BIG criteria and evaluated for subsequent radiographic progression or development of neurological decline. A 2-year retrospective cohort review of consecutive patients with neurotrauma (n = 590) was undertaken. The authors then developed a modified BIG algorithm for use at their institution and followed its implementation prospectively over 555 consecutive patients.RESULTSIn the retrospective analysis, no patient in the BIG 1 category (n = 88, 14.9%) demonstrated progression or neurological decline, and 7.5% of BIG 2 patients (n = 107, 18.1%) demonstrated mild radiographic progression without any decline or need for additional neurosurgical or medical intervention, whereas 15.4% of BIG 3 patients (n = 395, 66.9%) underwent additional neurosurgical procedures. In the prospective analysis, no BIG 1 (n = 105, 18.9%) or BIG 2 (n = 48, 8.6%) patients demonstrated a clinical decline or required any further neurosurgical intervention. By contrast, 12.9% of BIG 3 patients (n = 402, 72%) required immediate neurosurgical intervention, and a further 2.0% required delayed intervention based on clinical and/or radiographic evidence of injury progression.CONCLUSIONSApplication of the BIG criteria in a single large level 1 trauma center reliably sorted patients into appropriate risk categories that accurately guided ongoing management.


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