Evaluation of a Standardized Instrument for Post Hoc Analysis of Trauma-Team-Activation-Criteria in 75,613 Injured Patients An Analysis of the TraumaRegister DGU®

IntroductionIn order to improve the quality of criteria for trauma-team-activation it is necessary to identify patients who benefited from the treatment by a trauma team. Therefore, we evaluated a post hoc criteria catalogue for trauma-team-activation which was developed in a consensus process by an expert group and published recently. The objective was to examine whether the catalogue can identify patients that died after admission to hospital and therefore can benefit of a specialized trauma team mostly.Materials and MethodThe catalogue was applied to the data of 75,613 patients from the TraumaRegister DGU® between the 01/2007 and 12/2016 with a maximum Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) severity ≥ 2. The endpoint was hospital mortality, which was defined as death before discharge from acute care.ResultsThe TraumaRegister DGU® dataset contains 18 of the 20 proposed criteria within the catalogue which identified 99.6% of the patients who were admitted to the trauma room following an accident and who died during their hospital stay. Moreover, our analysis showed that at least one criterion was fulfilled in 59,785 cases (79.1%). The average ISS in this group was 21.2 points (SD 9.9). None of the examined criteria applied to 15,828 cases (average ISS 8.6; SD 5). The number of consensus-based criteria correlated with the severity of injury and mortality. Of all deceased patients (8,451), only 31 (0.37%) could not be identified on the basis of the 18 examined criteria. Where only one criterion was fulfilled, mortality was 1.7%; with 2 or more criteria, mortality was at least 4.6%.DiscussionThe consensus-based criteria identified nearly all patients who died as a result of their injuries. If only one criterion was fulfilled, mortality was relatively low. However, it increased to almost 5% if two criteria were fulfilled. Further studies are necessary to analyse and examine the relative weighting of the various criteria.

Hate to Burst Your Balloon: Successful REBOA Use Takes More Than a Course

Background: Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) is emerging as a viable intervention for hemorrhagic shock. Training surgeons to place the device is only part of the process. We hypothesize that implementation challenges extend beyond surgical skills training and initial REBOA use should not be expected to mirror published success.Methods:All REBOA placements from January 2016-February 2017 at a level 1 trauma center were reviewed for opportunities for improvement (OFI). From September 2016-February 2017 all patients meeting highest trauma activation criteria were reviewed against our REBOA algorithm to identify patients meeting criteria for REBOA placement but not undergoing the procedure.Results:REBOA was introduced at our institution in September 2015, with first placement in January 2016. Trauma surgery, Emergency Department, and Operating Room staff underwent training. Nine patients had REBOA placed with six survivors. One patient underwent unsuccessful REBOA attempt and died. Four patients had complications from REBOA. Eight additional patients met indications but did not undergo REBOA. Conclusion:Successful REBOA use requires more than teaching surgeons indications and techniques. For a successful REBOA program, systems factors must be addressed. Systems processes must ensure equipment and procedures are standardized and familiar to all involved. Complications should be expected.

583 Impacting the Length of Stay of Burn Patients in the Emergency Department

Introduction Burn patients represent a challenging patient population and require early interventions. Advance Burn Life Support classes have been developed to guide first responders with assessing and treating burn patients in the pre-hospital setting. In the emergency department (ED) patients may experience hypothermia, delayed resuscitation, inadequate pain control, and delayed wound cares. Methods ED length of stay (LOS) was retrospectively reviewed for burn patient who met trauma activation criteria from 2013–2018. Patients were categorized based on ED disposition to burn stepdown, burn unit intensive care (BICU), or directly to the burn operating room (OR). Patients who died in the ED or were discharged home were excluded. In 2019, guidelines for burn activations, responses, and consults were developed to mirror the activation criteria for a Level 1 trauma institution. ED nurses and physicians were educated on burn assessment, wound care, and the new triage guidelines with emphasis on the importance of early transfer out of the ED. Results Prior to the change in burn activation guidelines, rapid transfer of burn patients out of the ED had not been emphasized. Of the 144 patients examined, ED LOS was 5.4 hours for those going to burn stepdown, 4.3 hours for BICU, and 3.7 hours for those who went directly to the burn OR. Several barriers to early transfer out of the ED were identified including lack of bed availability, lack of cleaning staff on nights and weekends, difficult lateral transfers of non-burn patients out of the Burn Unit, and a lack of education on the importance of early interventions by nursing staff. Since the implementation of the guidelines, there has been an improvement in LOS for BICU patients, but the goal of less than one hour in the ED has not yet been achieved. Conclusions Unacceptable ED LOS for burn patients were identified, triage guidelines were developed, and education was provided to staff. Guidelines and education, in conjunction with emphasizing the importance of having available beds in the Burn Unit, have led to a decrease in ED length of stay. Ongoing education and process improvement are key for rapid transfer of burn patients out of the ED. Applicability of Research to Practice Burn Centers can improve patient accounts by identifying areas that put burn patients at risk. Implementation of protocols can lead to process improvement and lead to better patient outcomes.

Telehealth dashboard: leverage reporting functionality to increase awareness of high-acuity emergency department patients across an enterprise practice

BackgroundEmergency Medicine Telehealth (TeleEM) represents an opportunity to work directly with referral centres, rural facilities and underserved areas to mitigate unnecessary testing, optimise resource utilisation and facilitate patient transfers across health systems. To optimise the impact of a TeleEM programme, a tool is needed to remotely monitor patient activity in multiple emergency department facilities, concurrently.MethodsAfter identifying data sources for activation criteria put forth by the TeleEM operations group, rules were constructed within the electronic health record to facilitate data checks and ultimately produce a yes/no response if the category’s conditions were met. Responses were organised into a table, with functionality allowing end users to drill into the different sites to see patient-specific information for patients meeting activation criteria.ConclusionsThe TeleEM dashboard allows for proactive engagement by the TeleEM physician and strengthens the team-based approach of critically ill.

THE REASONS ACUTE STROKE PATIENTS NOT RECEIVING THROMBOLYSIS IN AN INDONESIAN REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify reasons acute stroke patients did not receive thrombolysis despite meeting Code Stroke activation criteria in Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital during November 2015 until February 2019. Methods: This study retrospectively collected data of adult (aged>18 y old) acute stroke patients admitted to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital from November 2015 to February 2019 who met criteria for Code Stroke activation but did not undergo thrombolysis. Patient’ data were collected from Code Stroke Registry of Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital. Results: There were 518 acute stroke patients who had Code Stroke activated in Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital from November 2015 to February 2019. 76.3% of acute stroke patients did not receive thrombolytic therapy (n=395). Hemorrhage on computed tomography (CT) scan was the most common reason patients did not receive thrombolysis. The following most common reasons were low or improved National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, family refusal, and exceedance of time window. Conclusion: Hemorrhage on CT scan was the most common reason patients did not receive thrombolysis following by low or improved NIHSS score, family refusal, and exceedance of time window.

Trauma team leaders in Canada: A national survey

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.

P043: Trauma team leaders in Canada: A national survey

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.