Factors associated with trauma center use for elderly patients with trauma: a statewide analysis, 1999-2008

Predicting the time of mortality among older adult trauma patients: Is frailty the answer?

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to evaluate the temporal trends of mortality among frail versus non-frail older adult trauma patients during index hospitalization.

METHODS

We performed a 3-year (2017-2019) analysis of ACS-TQIP. We included all older adult (age ≥65 years) trauma patients. Patients were stratified into two groups (Frail vs. Non-Frail). Outcomes were acute (<24 ​h), early (24-72 ​h), intermediate (72 hours-1 week), and late (>1 week) mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 1,022,925 older adult trauma patients were identified, of which 19.7 ​% were frail. The mean(SD) age was 77(8) years and 57.4 ​% were female. Median[IQR] ISS was 9[4-10] and both groups had comparable injury severity (p ​= ​0.362). On multivariable analysis, frailty was not associated with acute (aOR 1.034; p ​= ​0.518) and early (aOR 1.190; p ​= ​0.392) mortality, while frail patients had independently higher odds of intermediate (aOR 1.269; p ​= ​0.042) and late (aOR 1.835; p ​< ​0.001) mortality. On sub-analysis, our results remained consistent in mild, moderate, and severely injured patients.

CONCLUSION

Frailty is an independent predictor of mortality in older adult trauma patients who survive the initial 3 days of admission, regardless of injury severity.

Do emergency medical dispatchers choose the same response to serious injury in men and women - a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Recent research has indicated that sex is an important determinant of emergency medical response in patients with possible serious injuries. Men were found to receive more advanced prehospital treatment and more helicopter transportation and trauma centre destinations and were more often received by an activated trauma team, even when adjusted for injury mechanism. Emergency medical dispatchers choose initial resources when serious injury is suspected after a call to the emergency medical communication centre. This study aimed to assess how dispatchers evaluate primary responses in trauma victims, with a special focus on the sex of the victim.

METHODS

Emergency medical dispatchers were interviewed using focus groups and a semistructured interview guide developed specifically for this study. Two vignettes describing typical and realistic injury scenarios were discussed. Verbatim transcripts of the conversations were analysed via systematic text condensation. The findings were reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) checklist.

RESULTS

The analysis resulted in the main category "Tailoring the right response to the patient", supported by three categories "Get an overview of location and scene safety", "Patient condition" and "Injury mechanism and special concerns". The informants consistently maintained that sex was not a relevant variable when deciding emergency medical response during dispatch and claimed that they rarely knew the sex of the patient before a response was implemented. Some of the participants also raised the question of whether the Norwegian trauma criteria reliably detect serious injury in women.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the emergency medical response is largely based on the national trauma criteria and that sex is of little or no importance during dispatch. The observed sex differences in the emergency medical response seems to be caused by other factors during the emergency medical response phase.

Impact of delayed mobile medical team dispatch for respiratory distress calls: a propensity score matched study from a French emergency communication center

BACKGROUND

Shortness of breath is a common complaint among individuals contacting emergency communication center (EMCCs). In some prehospital system, emergency medical services include an advanced life support (ALS)-capable team. Whether such team should be dispatched during the phone call or delayed until the BLS-capable paramedic team reports from the scene is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of delayed MMT dispatch until receiving the paramedic review compared to immediate dispatch at the time of the call on patient outcomes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study conducted in Lyon, France, using data obtained from the departmental EMCC during the period from January to December 2019. We included consecutive calls related to adult patients experiencing acute respiratory distress. Patients from the two groups (immediate mobile medical team (MMT) dispatch or delayed MMT dispatch) were matched on a propensity score, and a conditional weighted logistic regression assessed the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for each outcome (mortality on days 0, 7 and 30).

RESULTS

A total of 870 calls (median age 72 [57-84], male 466 53.6%) were sought for analysis [614 (70.6%) "immediate MMT dispatch" and 256 (29.4%) "delayed MMT" groups]. The median time before MMT dispatch was 25.1 min longer in the delayed MMT group (30.7 [26.4-36.1] vs. 5.6 [3.9-8.8] min, p < 0.001). Patients subjected to a delayed MMT intervention were older (median age 78 [66-87] vs. 69 [53-83], p < 0.001) and more frequently highly dependent (16.3% vs. 8.6%, p < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients in the delayed MMT group required bag valve mask ventilation (47.3% vs. 39.1%, p = 0.03), noninvasive ventilation (24.6% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.13), endotracheal intubation (7.0% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.07) and catecholamine infusion (3.9% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.01). After propensity score matching, mortality at day 0 was higher in the delayed MMT group (9.8% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.002). Immediate MMT dispatch at the call was associated with a lower risk of mortality on day 0 (0.60 [0.38;0.82], p < 0.001) day 7 (0.50 [0.27;0.72], p < 0.001) and day 30 (0.56 [0.35;0.78], p < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the deployment of an MMT at call in patients in acute respiratory distress may result in decreased short to medium-term mortality compared to a delayed MMT following initial first aid assessment.

Identifying Quality Indicators for the Care of Hospitalized Injured Older Adults: A Scoping Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVES

Older adults represent more than 50% of trauma admissions in many high-income countries. Furthermore, they are at increased risk for complications, resulting in worse health outcomes than younger adults and a significant health care utilization burden. Quality indicators (QIs) are used to assess the quality of care in trauma systems, but few QIs reflect responses to older patients' specific needs. We aimed to (1) identify QIs used to assess acute hospital care for injured older patients, (2) assess support for identified QIs and, (3) identify gaps in existing QIs.

DESIGN

Scoping review of the scientific and gray literature.

METHODS

Selection and data extraction were performed by 2 independent reviewers. The level of support was assessed by the number of sources reporting QIs and whether they were developed according to scientific evidence, expert consensus, and patients' perspectives.

RESULTS

Of 10,855 identified studies, 167 were eligible. Among 257 different QIs identified, 52% were hip fracture specific. Gaps were identified for head injuries, rib, and pelvic ring fractures. Although 61% of QIs assessed care processes, 21% and 18% focused on structures and outcomes, respectively. Although most QIs were based on literature reviews and/or expert consensus, patients' perspective was rarely accounted for. The 15 QIs with the highest level of support included minimum time between emergency department arrival and ward admission, minimum time to surgery for fractures, assessment by a geriatrician, orthogeriatric review for hip fracture patients, delirium screening, prompt and appropriate analgesia, early mobilizations, and physiotherapy.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Multiple QIs were identified, but their level of support was limited, and important gaps were identified. Future work should focus on achieving consensus for a set of QIs to assess the quality of trauma care to older adults. Such QIs could be used for quality improvement and ultimately improve outcomes for injured older adults.

Hispanic Farmers Experience Shorter EMS Response Times but Longer Emergency Department Length of Stay Following Occupational Injuries

BACKGROUND

Agriculture has the highest rate of fatal injuries by sector. Hispanic workers also experience more fatal work injuries than every other minority group combined. Pre-hospital and initial trauma evaluation represent an important marker to understand the impact of a trauma system. We sought to investigate whether Hispanic agricultural workers in the United States (US) experience disparities following traumatic occupational injuries in terms of pre-hospital and emergency department care.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the National Trauma Data Bank from 2012-2016 to understand differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic farmers in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response and transport times (minutes), transport mode, transfer rates, presentation to University or Level I trauma hospitals, Injury Severity Scores (ISS), length of stay (LOS) in the emergency department (ED, minutes) or hospital (days), need for the operating room (OR), admittance to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 6,161 farmers were included in our analyses (median age 47 years, females 7.0%). Multivariable analyses indicate differences regarding EMS response, EMS transport, and LOS in the ED. Rates of admission to the ICU, surgical operations, days on a ventilator, discharge from the hospital with supportive care, and mortality did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-Hispanic patients have longer median EMS response and total transport times. Hispanic patients have longer median LOS in the ED. However, the lack of significant differences in management variables other than EMS times and ED LOS indicate an equitable delivery of trauma care once patients were transferred from the ED.

Disparity in Transport of Critically Injured Patients to Trauma Centers: Analysis of the National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS)

BACKGROUND

Patient morbidity and mortality decrease when injured patients meeting CDC Field Triage Criteria (FTC) are transported by emergency medical services (EMS) directly to designated trauma centers (TCs). This study aimed to identify potential disparities in the transport of critically injured patients to TCs by EMS.

STUDY DESIGN

We identified all patients in the National EMS Information System (NEMSIS) database in the National Association of EMS State Officials East region from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019, with a final prehospital acuity of critical or emergent by EMS. The cohort was stratified into patients transported to TCs or non-TCs. Analyses consisted of descriptive epidemiology, comparisons, and multivariable logistic regression analysis to measure the association of demographic features, vital signs, and CDC FTC designation by EMS with transport to a TC.

RESULTS

A total of 670,264 patients were identified as sustaining an injury, of which 94,250 (14%) were critically injured. Of those 94,250 critically injured, 56.0% (52,747) were transported to TCs. Among all critically injured women (n = 41,522), 50.4% were transported to TCs compared with 60.4% of critically injured men (n = 52,728, p < 0.001). In a multivariable logistic regression model, critically injured women were 19% less likely to be taken to a TC compared with critically injured men (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.71-0.93, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Critically injured female patients are less likely to be transported to TCs when compared with their male counterparts. Performance improvement processes that assess EMS compliance with field triage guidelines should explicitly evaluate for sex-based disparities. Further studies are warranted.

California Children Presenting to an Emergency Department for Mental Health Emergencies: Trajectories of Care

OBJECTIVES

Pediatric emergency department (ED) mental health visits are increasing in the United States. At the same time, child/adolescent psychiatric services are limited. This study examines the trajectory of pediatric patients presenting with mental health emergencies to better understand availability of specialty care resources in regional networks.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used a California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development linked ED and Inpatient Discharge Dataset (2005-2015) to study pediatric patients (5-17 years) who presented to an ED with a primary mental health diagnosis. Outcomes were disposition: discharge, admission, or transfer.Patients transferred were further analyzed for disposition. Regression models to identify characteristics associated with disposition were created.

RESULTS

There were 384,339 pediatric patients presented for a primary mental health emergency from 2005 to 2015; 287,997 were discharged, 17,564 were admitted, and 78,725 were transferred. Among those not discharged, patients with public (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; P < 0.01) or self-pay insurance (OR, 5.64; P < 0.01), Black (OR, 2.15; P < 0.01), or Native American race (OR, 2.32; P < 0.01), and who presented to rural EDs (OR, 3.10; P < 0.01), nonteaching hospitals (OR, 3.06; P < 0.01), or hospitals in counties without dedicated child/adolescent psychiatric beds (OR, 5.59; P < 0.01) had higher odds of transfer.Among those not discharged from the second hospital, Black patients (OR, 2.47; P < 0.03) and those who were transferred to a teaching hospital (OR, 1.9; P < 0.01) had higher odds of second transfer.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients with mental health emergencies experience different trajectories of care. Transfer protocols and regionalized networks may help streamline services and decrease inefficiencies in care.

Admission Lymphopenia is Associated With Discharge Disposition in Blunt Chest Wall Trauma Patients

BACKGROUND

Lymphopenia contributes to the immune suppression observed in critical illness. However, its role in the immunologic response to trauma remains unclear. Herein, we assessed whether admission lymphopenia is associated with poor outcomes in patients with blunt chest wall trauma (BCWT).

METHODS

All adult patients with a Chest Abbreviated Injury Score (CAIS) ≥2 admitted to our Level I Trauma center between May 2009 and December 2018 were identified in our institution Trauma Registry. Patients with absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) collected within 24 H of admission were included. Patients who died within 24 H of admission, had bowel perforation on admission, penetrating trauma, and burns were excluded. Demographics, injury characteristics, comorbidities, ALC, complications, and outcomes were collected. Lymphopenia was defined as an ALC ≤1000/µL. Association between lymphopenia and clinical outcomes of BCWT was assessed using multivariate analyses. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 1394 patients were included; 69.7% were male; 44.3% were lymphopenic. On univariate analysis, lymphopenia was associated with longer in-hospital stay (11.6±10.2 versus 10.1±11.4, P = 0.009), in-hospital death (9.7% versus 5.8%, P = 0.006), and discharge to a healthcare facility (60.9% versus 46.4%, P < 0.001). Controlling for Injury Severity Score, age, gender, and comorbidities, the association between lymphopenia and discharge to another facility (SNF/rehabilitation facility/ACH) (OR = 1.380 [1.041-1.830], P = 0.025) remained significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymphopenia on admission is associated with discharge requiring increased healthcare support. Routine lymphocyte count monitoring on admission may provide important prognostic information for BCWT patients.

Evaluation of Frailty Assessment Compliance in Acute Care Surgery: Changing Trends, Lessons Learned

BACKGROUND

Routine frailty assessment has emerged recently in the surgical literature and is an important prognostication and risk stratification tool. The aim of our study was to review our 7-y experience with two frailty assessment tools and changing trends in their use.

METHODS

We performed a 7-y (2011-2017) analysis of our prospectively maintained frailty database. Frail patients were identified using the emergency general surgery and trauma specific frailty indices. Outcome measures were rates of compliance with frailty assessment, overall complications, discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF)/rehab, and mortality over the study period. Multivariate logistic regression and Cochran-Armitage trend analyses were performed.

RESULTS

We evaluated a total of 1045 geriatric patients (Trauma: 587, EGS: 458). Mean age was 74.5 ± 7.9 y, 74% were males, and 81% were white. Overall, 34% of the patients were frail. Compared to non-frail patients, frail patients had higher adjusted rates of complications (OR 2.4 [1.9-2.9]), mortality (OR 1.8 [1.4-2.3]), and rehab/SNF disposition (OR 3.7 [3.1-4.3]). The compliance rate of measuring frailty increased from 12% in 2011 to 78% in 2017, P < 0.001 (Figure). The complication rate decreased (33% versus 21%, P < 0.001), while the rate of discharge disposition to SNF/Rehab increased (41% versus 58%, P < 0.001). There was no difference in mortality (11% versus 9.8%, P = 0.48) over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to frailty measurement increased over the study period. This was accompanied by a significant decline in overall in-hospital complications. Frailty indices can be utilized to identify high-risk patients and develop post-operative strategies to improve outcomes in acute care surgery.

Challenges in the PREHOSPITAL emergency management of geriatric trauma patients - a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Despite a widely acknowledged increase in older people presenting with traumatic injury in western populations there remains a lack of research into the optimal prehospital management of this vulnerable patient group. Research into this cohort faces many uniqu1e challenges, such as inconsistent definitions, variable physiology, non-linear presentation and multi-morbidity. This scoping review sought to summarise the main challenges in providing prehospital care to older trauma patients to improve the care for this vulnerable group.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

A scoping review was performed searching Google Scholar, PubMed and Medline from 2000 until 2020 for literature in English addressing the management of older trauma patients in both the prehospital arena and Emergency Department. A thematic analysis and narrative synthesis was conducted on the included 131 studies. Age-threshold was confirmed by a descriptive analysis from all included studies. The majority of the studies assessed triage and found that recognition and undertriage presented a significant challenge, with adverse effects on mortality. We identified six key challenges in the prehospital field that were summarised in this review.

CONCLUSIONS

Trauma in older people is common and challenges prehospital care providers in numerous ways that are difficult to address. Undertriage and the potential for age bias remain prevalent. In this Scoping Review, we identified and discussed six major challenges that are unique to the prehospital environment. More high-quality evidence is needed to investigate this issue further.

A comprehensive analysis of undertriage in a mature trauma system using geospatial mapping

INTRODUCTION

The correct triage of trauma patients to trauma centers (TCs) is essential. We sought to determine the percentage of patients who were undertriaged within the Pennsylvania (PA) trauma system and spatially analyze areas of undertriage (UTR) in PA for all age groups: pediatric, adult, and geriatric. We hypothesized that there would be certain areas that had high UTR for all age groups.

METHODS

From 2003 to 2015, all admissions from the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation registry and those meeting trauma criteria (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Diseases: 800-959) from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) database were included. Admissions were divided into age groups: pediatric (<15 years), adult (15-64 years), and geriatric (≥65 years). All pediatric trauma cases were included from the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation and PHC4 registry, while only cases with Injury Severity Score of >9 were included in adult and geriatric age groups. Undertriage was defined as patients not admitted to level I/II adult TCs (n = 24), pediatric (n = 3), or adult and pediatric combined facility (n = 3) divided by the total number of patients from the PHC4 database. ArcGIS Desktop (version 10.7; ESRI, Redlands, CA) and GeoDa (version 1.14.0; CSDS, Chicago, IL) open source license were used for geospatial mapping of UTR with a spatial empirical Bayesian smoothed UTR by zip code tabulation area (ZCTA) and Stata (version 16.1; Stata Corp., College Station, TX) for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

There were significant percentages of UTR for all age groups. One area of high UTR for all age groups had TCs and large nontrauma centers in close proximity. There were high rates of UTR for all ages in rural areas, specifically in the upper central regions of PA, with limited access to TCs.

CONCLUSION

It appears there are two patterns leading to UTR. The first is in areas where TCs are in close proximity to large competing nontrauma centers, which may lead to inappropriate triage. The second has to do with lack of access to TCs. Geospatial mapping is a valuable tool that can be used to ascertain where trauma systems should focus scarce resources to decrease UTR.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiological, level III; Care management, level III.

Helicopter emergency medical service dispatch in older trauma: time to reconsider the trigger?

BACKGROUND

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) respond to serious trauma and medical emergencies. Geographical disparity and the regionalisation of trauma systems can complicate accurate HEMS dispatch. We sought to evaluate HEMS dispatch sensitivity in older trauma patients by analysing critical care interventions and conveyance in a well-established trauma system.

METHODS

All trauma patients aged ≥65 years that were attended by the Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex over a 6-year period from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2019 were included. Patient characteristics, critical care interventions and hospital disposition were stratified by dispatch type (immediate, interrogate and crew request).

RESULTS

1321 trauma patients aged ≥65 were included. Median age was 75 years [IQR 69-89]. HEMS dispatch was by immediate (32.0%), interrogation (43.5%) and at the request of ambulance clinicians (24.5%). Older age was associated with a longer dispatch interval and was significantly longer in the crew request category (37 min [34-39]) compared to immediate dispatch (6 min [5-6] (p = .001). Dispatch by crew request was common in patients with falls < 2 m, whereas pedestrian road traffic collisions and falls > 2 m more often resulted in immediate dispatch (p = .001). Immediate dispatch to isolated head injured patients often resulted in pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia (PHEA) (39%). However, over a third of head injured patients attended after dispatch by crew request received PHEA (36%) and a large proportion were triaged to major trauma centres (69%).

CONCLUSIONS

Many patients who do not fulfil the criteria for immediate HEMS dispatch need advanced clinical interventions and subsequent tertiary level care at a major trauma centre. Further studies should evaluate if HEMS activation criteria, nuanced by age-dependant triggers for mechanism and physiological parameters, optimise dispatch sensitivity and HEMS utilisation.

Geriatric Skiers: Active But Still at Risk, a National Trauma Data Bank Study

BACKGROUND

Downhill skiing accounts for a large portion of geriatric sport-related trauma. We assessed the national burden of geriatric versus nongeriatric ski trauma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adults presenting to level 1/2 trauma centers after ski-associated injuries from 2011 to 2015 were identified from the National Trauma Data Bank by ICD-9 code. We compared demographics, injury patterns, and outcomes between geriatric (age ≥65 y) and nongeriatric adult skiers (age 18-64 y). A multiple regression analysis assessed for risk factors associated with severe injury (Injury Severity Score >15).

RESULTS

We identified 3255 adult ski trauma patients, and 16.7% (543) were geriatric. Mean ages for nongeriatric versus geriatric skiers were 40.8 and 72.1 y, respectively. Geriatric skiers more often suffered head (36.7 versus 24.3%, P < 0.0001), severe head (abbreviated injury scale score >3, 49.0 versus 31.5%, P < 0.0001) and thorax injuries (22.2 versus 18.1%, P = 0.03) as compared with nongeriatric skiers. Geriatric skiers were also more often admitted to the ICU (26.5 versus 14.9%, P < 0.0001), discharged to a facility (26.7 versus 11.6%, P < 0.0001), and suffered higher mortality rates (1.3 versus 0.4%, P = 0.004). Independent risk factors for severe injury included being male (OR: 1.68, CI: 1.22-2.31), helmeted (OR: 1.41, CI: 1.07-1.85), and having comorbidities (OR: 1.37, CI: 1.05-1.80). Geriatric age was not independently associated with severe injury.

CONCLUSIONS

At level 1/2 trauma centers, geriatric age in ski trauma victims was associated with unique injury patterns, higher acuity, increased rates of facility care at discharge, and higher mortality as compared with nongeriatric skiers. Our findings indicate the need for specialized care after high impact geriatric ski trauma.

Complicated versus complexity: when an old woman and her daughter meet the health care system

Background

Detecting infection in frail elderly is a challenge due to lack of specific signs and symptoms. We highlight the complex situation when an elderly woman with urinary tract infection (UTI) and her daughter meet the highly qualified health care system. The aim was to describe and analyze the process when an elderly individual with an acute infection encounters the healthcare system.

Methods

A descriptive, retrospective Single Case Study design with a qualitative approach was used. Data from interviews with the old women and her daughter, medical record data and different regulatory documents were gathered and analysed with a qualitative content analysis. In a second step, the results were interpreted with concepts from the complexity theory. Complexity theory has been used as a conceptual framework for analysis or a framework for interpretation. In this study we are using the theory for interpretation by comparing the results with the complexity theory, which is explored in the discussion.

Results

The latent content analysis of the daughter’s story is interpreted as though she perceives the situation as causing a life crisis and a threat to her mother’s entire existence. The old women herself does not take part in what is happening, though after returning to home she is trying to understand her behaviour and what has happened. The health care tries different diagnoses and treatment according to standardized care plans without success. When urinary tract infection is finally diagnosed and treated successfully, the old women recovers quickly.

Conclusion

The healthcare system should embrace the complexity in the encounter with an elderly individual. However, we found that the immediate reaction from the healthcare system is to handle the patients’ problem as complicated by complexity reduction. Shortcomings are that elderly patients with multiple disorders are difficult to evaluate and triage “correctly” for later placement in the appropriate continuum of care, although the findings of this case study also imply that with time the system instead took on an approach of absorption of complexity.

The geriatric trauma patient: A neglected individual in a mature trauma system

BACKGROUND

Those older than 65 years represent the fastest growing demographic in the United States. As such, their care has been emphasized by trauma entities such as the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. Unfortunately, much of that focus has been of their care once they reach the hospital with little attention on the access of geriatric trauma patients to trauma centers (TCs). We sought to determine the rate of geriatric undertriage (UT) to TCs within a mature trauma system and hypothesized that there would be variation and clustering of the geriatric undertriage rate (UTR) within a mature trauma system because of the admission of geriatric trauma patient to nontrauma centers (NTCs).

METHODS

From 2003 to 2015, all geriatric (age >65 years) admissions with an Injury Severity Score of greater than 9 from the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) registry and those meeting trauma criteria (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision: 800-959) from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) database were included. Undertriage rate was defined as patients not admitted to TCs (n = 27) divided by the total number of patients as from the PHC4 database. The PHC4 contains all inpatient admissions within Pennsylvania (PA), while PTSF reports admissions to PA TCs. The zip code of residence was used to aggregate calculations of UTR as well as other aggregate patient and census demographics, and UTR was categorized into lower, middle box, and upper quartiles. ArcGIS Desktop: Version 10.7, ESRI, Redlands, CA and GeoDa: Version 1.14.0, Open source license were used for geospatial mapping of UT with a spatial empirical Bayesian smoothed UTR, and Stata: Version 16.1, Stata Corp., College Station TX was used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation had 58,336 cases, while PHC4 had 111,626 that met the inclusion criteria, resulting in a median (Q1-Q3) smoothed UTR of 50.5% (38.2-60.1%) across PA zip code tabulation areas. Geospatial mapping reveals significant clusters of UT regions with high UTR in some of the rural regions with limited access to a TC. The lowest quartile UTR regions tended to have higher population density relative to the middle or upper quartile UTR regions. At the patient level, the lowest UTR regions had more racial and ethnic diversity, a higher injury severity, and higher rates of treatment at a TC. Undertriage rate regions that were closer to NTCs had a higher odds of being in the upper UTR quartile; 4.48 (2.52-7.99) for NTC with less than 200 beds and 8.53 (4.70-15.47) for NTC with 200 beds or greater compared with zip code tabulation areas with a TC as the closest hospital.

CONCLUSION

There are significant clusters of geriatric UT within a mature trauma system. Increased emphasis needs to focus prehospital on identifying the severely injured geriatric patient including specific geriatric triage protocols.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiological, Level III.

An analysis of pediatric trauma center undertriage in a mature trauma system

BACKGROUND

Improved mortality as a result of appropriate triage has been well established in adult trauma and may be generalizable to the pediatric trauma population as well. We sought to determine the overall undertriage rate (UTR) in the pediatric trauma population within Pennsylvania (PA). We hypothesized that a significant portion of pediatric trauma population would be undertriaged.

METHODS

All pediatric (age younger than 15) admissions meeting trauma criteria (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision: 800-959) from 2003 to 2015 were extracted from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) database and the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) registry. Undertriage was defined as patients not admitted to PTSF-verified pediatric trauma centers (n = 6). The PHC4 contains inpatient admissions within PA, while PTSF only reports admissions to PA trauma centers. ArcGIS Desktop was used for geospatial mapping of undertriage.

RESULTS

A total of 37,607 cases in PTSF and 63,954 cases in PHC4 met criteria, suggesting UTR of 45.8% across PA. Geospatial mapping reveals significant clusters of undertriage regions with high UTR in the eastern half of the state compared to low UTR in the western half. High UTR seems to be centered around nonpediatric facilities. The UTR for patients with a probability of death 1% or less was 39.2%.

CONCLUSION

Undertriage is clustered in eastern PA, with most areas of high undertriage located around existing trauma centers in high-density population areas. This pattern may suggest pediatric undertriage is related to a system issue as opposed to inadequate access.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Retrospective study, without negative criteria, Level III.

Population of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury in Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Decade of Change

OBJECTIVE

To describe the natural history of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) following hospitalizations.

SETTING

Between 2005 and 2014.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults who had incident admissions to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) with a diagnosis of TBI.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of the Minimum Data Set.

MAIN MEASURES

Main variables were cognitive and physical function, length of stay, presence of feeding tube, terminal condition, and dementia.

RESULTS

Incident admissions to SNFs increased annually from 17 247 patients to 20 787 from 2005 to 2014. The percentage of patients with activities of daily living score 23 or more decreased from 25% to 14% (P < .05). The overall percentage of patients with severe cognitive impairment decreased from 18% to 10% (P < .05). More patients had a diagnosis of dementia in 2014 compared with previous years (P < .05), and the presence of a terminal condition increased from 1% to 1.5% over the 10-year period (P < .05). The percentage of patients who stayed fewer than 30 days was noted to increase steadily over the 10 years, starting with 48% in 2005 and ending with 53% in 2013 (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Understanding past trends in TBI admissions to SNFs is necessary to guide appropriate discharge and predict future demand, as well as inform SNF policy and practice necessary to care for this subgroup of patients.

Association between trail use and self-rated wellness and health

Background

Incorporating trail use into daily activity routines could be an important venue to increase a population’s physical activity. This study presents important health impacts of trail use.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 8 trails throughout the State of Indiana. A mix of urban, suburban, and rural trails were selected. Recruitment sessions were completed during four 1-week periods throughout the study in various locations and at various times of day on each trail between April and October 2017. Data were collected through online and paper surveys. For each type of physical activity, a generalized additive model for self-rated wellness and health was built adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status, amounts of physical activity on trails, mood status, sleep pattern, diet and smoking habit. The plots of estimated smoothing spline function with 95% confidence band were pictured. All statistical analyses were conducted using R.

Results

The final sample size included 1299 trail users; 92% were White, 79% aged 18–65 years, 71% were married and 56% were male. Biking, walking and running were the main activities with 52, 29 and 19%, respectively. Female to male ratio was 3:2 in walkers vs. 2:3 in runners and bikers. Runners were significantly younger than the other two groups. Runners also had the highest percentage of college graduates and above, the highest rate of employment, the highest income, and the lowest percentage of being retired among the three groups. They more commonly used the trails alone than the walkers and bikers. Bikers had the highest rate of job satisfaction. They also showed a better mean score of mood than that the walkers and runners. There was a linear association between walking and self-rated wellness and health, and a curved association between running/biking and self-rated wellness and health. Running < 6.5 miles/week and biking > 14 miles/week were associated with steeper rise in self-rated wellness and health.

Conclusions

Employed educated married middle-aged people had the highest prevalence of walking, running or biking. The higher the walking, the higher self-rated wellness and health. A similar association was observed for running up to 6.5 miles/week or biking > 14 miles/week.

The influence of sociodemographic factors on trauma center transport for severely injured older adults

OBJECTIVE

To examine sociodemographic predictors of trauma center (TC) transport of severely injured older adults.

DATA SOURCES

The data source was the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, New York Inpatient Database (2014).

STUDY DESIGN

This study was a secondary analysis of injured older adults. Key sociodemographic variables were age, gender, race/ethnicity, median household income, and primary payer. Confounding variables were injury severity, geographic location, number of chronic conditions, and injury mechanism. The outcome variable was TC transport.

DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS

The database was filtered on the following criteria: age =/> 55 years, primary diagnosis of injury (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM], 800.0-957.9, excluding poisoning, late effects, and interfacility transfers), admitted to an acute care hospital in New York.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Records of 33 696 patients were included. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that all variables were statistically significant predictors of TC transport except primary payer. Predictors of TC transport were as follows: higher injury severity (OR 2.1, CI 1.79-2.46; 3.39, CI 2.85-4.05); Asian/Pacific and Hispanic race/ethnicity (OR 2.51, CI 1.92-3.27; OR 1.1, CI 0.86-1.42), highest median household income (OR 1.24, CI 1.01-1.52), high population density (OR 1.32, CI 1.12-1.55; OR 3.2, CI 2.68-2.83), and vehicle crashes (OR 3.39, CI 2.79-4.11). Predictors of non-TC transport were as follows: older age groups (OR 0.92, CI 0.76-1.11; OR 0.79, CI 0.64-0.96; OR 0.77, CI 0.63-0.95), females (OR 0.65, CI 0.57-0.74), Black and "other" race (OR 0.75, CI 0.0.56-1.0; OR 0.96, CI 0.77-1.20), lower median household income (OR 0.76, CI 0.62-0.93; OR 0.86, CI 0.71-1.05), low population density (OR 0.96, CI 0.67-1.36; OR 0.89, CI 0.53-1.51), and number of chronic conditions (OR 0.89, CI 0.87-0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Sociodemographic factors are a source of disparity for access to TCs. Further research is needed to confirm bias and test bias reduction strategies. Comprehensive education and policies are needed to reduce disparities in access to trauma care.

National Study of Triage and Access to Trauma Centers for Older Adults

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of undertriage among older injured Medicare beneficiaries, identify any regions in which undertriage is more likely to occur, and examine additional factors associated with undertriage at a national level.

METHODS

Using 2009 to 2014 Medicare claims data, we identified older adults (≥65 years) receiving a diagnosis of traumatic injury, and linked claims with trauma center designation records from the American Trauma Society. Undertriage was defined as nontrauma centers treatment with an Injury Severity Score greater than or equal to 16, consistent with the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma benchmark. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds of undertriage by census region, adjusting for sex, race, age, Injury Severity Score, trauma center proximity, and mode of transportation.

RESULTS

Forty-six percent of severely injured patients (n=125,731) were treated at a nontrauma center. Compared with that for patients in the Midwest, adjusted odds of undertriage were 100% higher for patients in Southern states (odds ratio [OR] 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.00 to 2.04) and 78% higher in Western states (OR 1.78; 95% CI 1.73 to 1.82). Compared with that for patients aged 65 to 69 years, odds of undertriage gradually increased in all age groups, reaching 57% for patients older than 80 years (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.52 to 1.61). Distance to a trauma center was associated with increasing odds of undertriage, with 37% higher odds (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.40) for older adults living more than 30 miles from a trauma center compared with patients living within 15 miles.

CONCLUSION

Nearly half of older adult trauma patients are undertriaged; it increases with age and distance to care and is most common in Southern and Western states. Improvements to field triage and trauma center access for older patients are urgently needed.

Identifying Predictors of Undertriage in Injured Older Adults After Implementation of Statewide Geriatric Trauma Triage Criteria

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to identify factors associated with transport of injured older adults meeting statewide geriatric trauma triage criteria to a trauma center.

METHODS

An observational retrospective cohort study using the 2009 to 2011 Ohio Trauma Registry. Subjects were adults ≥ 70 years old who met Ohio's geriatric triage criteria for trauma center transport by emergency medical services. We created multivariable logistic regression models to identify predictors of initial and ultimate (e.g., interfacility transfer) transport to a Level I or II trauma center and to a Level I, II, or III center.

RESULTS

Of 10,411 subjects, 47% were initially and 59% were ultimately transported to a Level I or II trauma center with rates of 66 and 74%, respectively, for transport to a Level I, II, or III center. For initial transport to a Level I or II center, age 80 to 89 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.89), age ≥ 90 (OR = 0.76), and either only a Level 3 (OR = 0.3) or no trauma center (OR = 0.11) in county of residence had decreased odds of transport, while male sex (OR = 1.38), black race (OR = 2.07), Injury Severity Score (ISS) 10-15 (OR = 1.99), ISS > 15 (OR = 2.85), and Glasgow Coma Scale score < 9 (OR = 2.11) had increased odds. Results were similar for ultimate transport to a Level I or II center. Analyzing transport to a Level I, II, or III center demonstrated similar results except a Level III trauma center in county of residence was associated with increased odds (OR = 2.00 for initial and 2.21 for ultimate) of transport to a Level I, II, or III center.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified factors independently associated with failure to transport injured older adults to trauma centers in statewide data collected after adoption of geriatric triage criteria. Lack of a trauma center in the county of residence remained a factor even in analyses that included ultimate transport.

Old Age With a Traumatic Mechanism of Injury Should Be a Trauma Team Activation Criterion

BACKGROUND

Age is not a standard trauma team activation (TTA) criteria recommended by the Committee on Trauma. However, there is concern that vital signs in elderly patients are often unreliable. In addition, elderly patients are at risk after moderate trauma. At our institution, age ≥ 70 years with traumatic mechanisms of injury has been a TTA criterion for more than 15 years.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to determine whether age ≥70 years as a TTA criterion appropriately identifies patients in need of additional resources without significantly impacting overtriage rates.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective trauma registry study of TTAs for age ≥ 70 years from January 2012-December 2016. Demographics, injury data, Injury Severity Score (ISS), procedures, emergency department (ED) disposition, and hospital data were collected. Primary outcome was mortality, secondary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital lengths of stay. Patients were stratified into meeting standard criteria (TTA-S) or activated based on age alone (TTA-A). TTA patients with ISS > 15, ED intubation, ICU admission, immediate operating room or catheter-based intervention, and mortalities were appropriately triaged.

RESULTS

During the study, there were 5436 total TTAs. Seven hundred and thirty-nine TTAs in patients aged ≥ 70 years, of which 198 (26.8%) were TTA-S and 541 (73.2%) were TTA-A. In the TTA-A group, 49 (9%) patients died, 149 (27.5%) had ISS > 15, 65 (12%) underwent immediate intervention, 72 (13%) had ED intubations, and 306 (56.6%) required admission to the ICU. The overtriage rate in the TTA-A group was 39.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients with severe trauma patients often do not meet the standard TTA criteria, resulting in potentially dangerous undertriage. Addition of age (≥70 years) criterion for TTA reduces undertriage and does not result in excessive overtriage.

Undertriage in trauma: Does an organized trauma network capture the major trauma victim? A statewide analysis

BACKGROUND

Proper triage of critically injured trauma patients to accredited trauma centers (TCs) is essential for survival and patient outcomes. We sought to determine the percentage of patients meeting trauma criteria who received care at non-TCs (NTCs) within the statewide trauma system that exists in the state of Pennsylvania. We hypothesized that a substantial proportion of the trauma population would be undertriaged to NTCs with undertriage rates (UTR) decreasing with increasing severity of injury.

METHODS

All adult (age ≥15) hospital admissions meeting trauma criteria (ICD-9, 800-959; Injury Severity Score [ISS], > 9 or > 15) from 2003 to 2015 were extracted from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) database, and compared with the corresponding trauma population within the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) registry. PHC4 contains all hospital admissions within PA while PTSF collects data on all trauma cases managed at designated TCs (Level I-IV). The percentage of patients meeting trauma criteria who are undertriaged to NTCs was determined and Network Analyst Location-Allocation function in ArcGIS Desktop was used to generate geospatial representations of undertriage based on ISSs throughout the state.

RESULTS

For ISS > 9, 173,022 cases were identified from 2003 to 2015 in PTSF, while 255,263 cases meeting trauma criteria were found in the PHC4 database over the same timeframe suggesting UTR of 32.2%. For ISS > 15, UTR was determined to be 33.6%. Visual geospatial analysis suggests regions with limited access to TCs comprise the highest proportion of undertriaged trauma patients.

CONCLUSION

Despite the existence of a statewide trauma framework for over 30 years, approximately, a third of severely injured trauma patients are managed at hospitals outside of the trauma system in PA. Intelligent trauma system design should include an objective process like geospatial mapping rather than the current system which is driven by competitive models of financial and health care system imperatives.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiological study, level III; Therapeutic, level IV.

Injury Patterns and Outcomes of Trauma in the Geriatric Population Presenting to the Emergency Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital of South India

Background:

The geriatric population is more prone for injuries with complications due to their associated comorbidities. This study was done to understand the mode, severity, and outcome of injuries among geriatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED).

Materials and Methods:

This retrospective study included all patients >60 years who presented with trauma between October 2014 and March 2015. Details of the incident, injuries, and hospital outcome were noted.

Results:

Among 8563 geriatric patients, who presented to the ED during the study, 427 (4.9%) patients were trauma related. The mean age was 69 (standard deviation: 6.76) years with 87.6% being young-old (60–79 years) and 12.4% being old-old (>80 years). Majority (63.2%) were Priority 2 patients. The median time between the incident and ED arrival among Priority 1 patients was 3 h (interquartile range: 2–5). Common modes of injuries were slip and fall (37.4%), two-wheeler accidents (25.8%), fall from height (9.1%), and pedestrian (8.9%). The ED team alone managed 25.8% of patients. Specialty departments referred to included orthopedics (48%), neurosurgery (18.3%), plastic surgery (4.2%), HLRS (4%), and others. Injuries due to slip and fall were significantly more among the old-old (P = 0.001), and two-wheeler accidents were more among the young-old (P = 0.001), respectively. Superficial head injuries (28.8%), extremity (24.8%), facial (18.7%), and traumatic brain injuries (17.8%) were common presentations. Thoracic injuries were significantly more among the old-old (P < 0.001). Half (46.3%) of the young-old were discharged stable (P = 0.017). In-hospital mortality rate was 0.7% (3/427), while 12.9% (55/427) left against medical advice due to poor prognosis.

Conclusion:

Our study demonstrates the pattern of injury seen in the elderly in an urban setting in India. From this, we perceive the need for a prospective study evaluating the causes for geriatric trauma, which would help work on ways to prevent and minimize injuries in the elderly.

Ten-year trends in traumatic brain injury: a retrospective cohort study of California emergency department and hospital revisits and readmissions

OBJECTIVE

To describe visits and visit rates of adults presenting to emergency departments (EDs) with a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the USA; yet, current literature is limited because few studies examine longer-term ED revisits and hospital readmission patterns of TBI patients across a broad spectrum of injury severity, which can help inform potential unmet healthcare needs.

DESIGN

We performed a retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

We analysed non-public patient-level data from California's Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development for years 2005 to 2014.

PARTICIPANTS

We identified 1.2 million adult patients aged ≥18 years presenting to California EDs and hospitals with an index diagnosis of TBI.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Our main outcomes included revisits, readmissions and mortality over time. We also examined demographics, mechanism and severity of injury and disposition at discharge.

RESULTS

We found a 57.7% increase in the number of TBI ED visits, representing a 40.5% increase in TBI visit rates over the 10-year period (346-487 per 100 000 residents). During this time, there was also a 33.8% decrease in the proportion of patients admitted to the hospital. Older, publicly insured and black populations had the highest visit rates, and falls were the most common mechanism of injury (45.5% of visits). Of all patients with an index TBI visit, 40.5% of them had a revisit during the first year, with 46.7% of them seeking care at a different hospital from their initial hospital or ED visit. Additionally, of revisits within the first year, 13.4% of them resulted in hospital readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

The large proportion of patients with TBI who are discharged directly from the ED, along with the high rates of revisits and readmissions, suggest a role for an established system for follow-up, treatment and care of TBI.

Perspectives of health professionals on the best care settings for pediatric trauma casualties: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Critically-injured children are frequently treated by providers who lack specialty pediatric training in facilities that have not been modified for the care of children. We set out to understand the attitudes and perspectives of policy makers, and senior nursing and medical managers in the Israeli healthcare system, concerning the provision of medical care to pediatric trauma casualties in emergency departments.

METHODS

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 health professionals from medical centers across Israel and the Ministry of Health. The interviews were analyzed by qualitative methods.

RESULTS

There was lack of clarity and uniformity concerning the definition of a pediatric trauma casualty. All of the participants attributed extreme importance to the professional level of the care team manager, and most suggested that this should be a pediatric emergency medicine specialist. They emphasized the importance of around-the-clock availability of pediatric medical teams to care for young trauma casualties, and the crucial need for caregivers to be equipped with a wide variety of professional skills for the adequate treatment of a broad spectrum of injuries. All participants described significant variability in pediatric-care training and experience among physicians and nurses working in emergency departments. Most participants believe that pediatric trauma casualties should be treated in designated pediatric emergency departments, in a limited number of medical centers across the country.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that specialized pediatric EDs would constitute the best location for intake of children with major traumatic injuries. Pediatric emergency medicine specialists should manage trauma cases using pediatric surgeons as ad-hoc consultants. The term 'pediatric patient' should be defined to allow trauma patients to be referred to the most appropriate ED. Teams working at these EDs should undergo specialized pediatric emergency medicine training. Finally, to regulate the key aspects of trauma care, clear statutory guidelines should be formulated at national and local levels.

The frail fail: Increased mortality and post-operative complications in orthopaedic trauma patients

OBJECTIVE

The burgeoning elderly population calls for a robust tool to identify patients with increased risk of mortality and morbidity. This paper investigates the utility of the MFI as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in orthopaedic trauma patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of the NSQIP database to identify patients age 60 and above who underwent surgery for pelvis and lower extremity fractures between 2005 and 2014.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

For each patient, an MFI score was calculated using NSQIP variables. The relationship between the MFI score and 30-day mortality and morbidity was determined using chi-square analysis. MFI was compared to age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, and wound classifications in multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

Study sample consisted of 36,424 patients with 27.8% male with an average age of 79.5 years (SD 9.3). MFI ranged from 0 to 0.82 with mean MFI of 0.12 (SD 0.09). Mortality increased from 2.7% to 13.2% and readmission increased from 5.5% to 18.8% with increasing MFI score. The rate of any complication increased from 30.1% to 38.6%. Length of hospital stay increased from 5.3days (±5.5days) to 9.1days (±7.2days) between MFI score 0 and 0.45+. There was a stronger association between 30-day mortality and MFI (aOR for MFI 0.45+: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.7-3.9) compared to age (aOR for age: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1-1.1) and ASA (aOR 2.5, 95% CI: 2.3-2.7).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

MFI was a significant predictor of morbidity and mortality in orthopaedic trauma patients. The use of MFI can provide an individualized risk assessment tool that can be used by an interdisciplinary team for perioperative counseling and to improve outcomes.

Out-of-hospital and Inter-hospital Under-triage to Designated Tertiary Trauma Centers among Injured Older Adults: A 10-year Statewide Geospatial-Adjusted Analysis

OBJECTIVE

While out-of-hospital under-triage of seriously injured older adults to tertiary trauma centers has long been acknowledged, no study has adjusted for place of injury or evaluated the extent of inter-facility under-triage. We sought to determine distance and confounder adjusted odds of treatment at a tertiary trauma center (TTC) for older adult trauma patients compared to younger trauma patients, for patients transported from the scene of injury and those transferred from a non-tertiary trauma (NTTC) center.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study utilizing data from a statewide trauma registry reported over a 10-year period (2005-14). The outcome of interest was treatment at an American College of Surgeons or state-designated Level I/II trauma center (TTC). The predictor variable of interest was age group (> = 55 years vs. < 55 years). Covariates of interest included patient demographics, clinical characteristics and various distance measures calculated based on the patient's injury location.

RESULTS

84 930 patients met study criteria. Of these 42% (35659) were 55 years and older with an average age of 74 years (SD, 11.6). Older adult patients were on average, injured slightly farther away from a TTC (median distance, 34 vs. 29 miles, p < 0.001). Among patients initially presenting to NTTCs, older adults were significantly more likely to be transferred to another NTTC (53% vs. 34%). After adjusting for confounders and distance measures, older adults were less likely to be treated at TTCs overall (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.52-0.56), whether transported by EMS from the scene of injury (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.44-0.50) or via inter-facility transfer (OR = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.59-0.68).

CONCLUSIONS

Injured older adults face significant under-triage to TTCs whether by EMS from the scene of injury or via transfer from NTTCs. Adjusting for proximity of injury to a TTC does not alter these findings.

Injury Characteristics and Outcomes in Elderly Trauma Patients in Sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND

Traumatic injury in the elderly is an emerging global problem with an associated increase in morbidity and mortality. This study sought to describe the epidemiology of elderly injury and outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of adult patients (≥ 18 years) with traumatic injuries presenting to the Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe, Malawi, over 5 years (2009-2013). Elderly patients were defined as adults aged ≥65 years and compared to adults aged 18-44 and 45-64 years. We used propensity score matching and logistic regression to compare the odds of mortality between age groups using the youngest age group as the reference.

RESULTS

42,816 Adult patients with traumatic injuries presented to KCH during the study period. 1253 patients (2.9 %) were aged ≥65 years with a male preponderance (77.4 %). Injuries occurred more often at home as age increased (25.3, 29.5, 41.1 %, p < 0.001) and falls were more common (14.1, 23.8, 36.3 %, p < 0.001) for elderly patients. Elderly age was associated with a higher proportion of hospital admissions (10.6, 21.3, 35.2 %, p < 0.001). Upon propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of mortality for patients aged ≥65 was 3.15 (95 % CI 1.45, 6.82, p = 0.0037) compared to the youngest age group (18-44 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly trauma in a resource-poor area in sub-Saharan Africa is associated with a significant increase in hospital admissions and mortality. Significant improvements in trauma systems, pre-hospital care, and hospital capacity for older, critically ill patients are imperative.

Factors associated with hospital admission after an emergency department treat and release visit for older adults with injuries

INTRODUCTION

Emergency Department (ED) visits for injury often precede hospital admissions in older adults, but risk factors for these admissions are poorly characterized. We sought to determine the incidence and risk factors for hospitalization shortly following discharge home from an ED visit for traumatic injury in older adults. We hypothesized higher risk for admission in those with increased age, discharged home after falls, with increased comorbidity burden, and who live in poor neighborhoods.

METHODS

We identified all community-dwelling patients ≥65years old treated and released for traumatic injury at non-federal EDs in Florida using the 2011 State Inpatient Database and State ED Database of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Outcome measures were hospitalization within 9 and 30days of discharge from the ED. Multivariable logistic regression was used to establish independent risk factors for hospital admission.

RESULTS

Of 163,851 index ED injury visits, 6298 (3.8%) resulted in inpatient admissions within 9days and 12,938 (7.9%) within 30days. Factors associated with increased odds of admission within 9days included: each additional comorbidity, ≥moderate injury to abdomen or pelvis/extremities, and median neighborhood income<$39,000. Additional factors associated with increased odds of admission within 30days included: lack of private insurance supplement and median neighborhood income<$48,000.

CONCLUSION

Among older adults treated and discharged from the ED for an injury, those who have high comorbidity burdens, have abdominal or orthopedic injuries, and live in poor neighborhoods are at increased risk of hospitalization within 9 or 30days of ED discharge.

Factors Associated With Nontransfer in Trauma Patients Meeting American College of Surgeons' Criteria for Transfer at Nontertiary Centers

Importance

Secondary triage from nontertiary centers is vital to trauma system success. It remains unclear what factors are associated with nontransfer among patients who should be considered for transfer to facilities providing higher-level care.

Objective

To identify factors associated with nontransfer among patients meeting American College of Surgeons (ACS) guideline criteria for transfer from nontertiary centers.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A retrospective cohort study was performed using multilevel logistic regression to ascertain factors associated with nontransfer from nontertiary centers, including demographics, injury characteristics, and center resources. With information obtained from the National Trauma Data Bank (January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2012), relative proportion of variance in outcome across centers was determined for patient-level and center-level attributes. In all, 96 528 patients taken to nontertiary centers (levels III, IV, V, and nontrauma centers) that met ACS guideline transfer criteria were eligible for inclusion. Data analysis was performed from March 17, 2016, to May 20, 2016.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was nontransfer from a nontertiary center.

Results

Among 96 528 patients meeting ACS guideline criteria for transfer taken initially to nontertiary centers, 55 611 (57.6%) were male and the median age was 52 years (interquartile range, 28-77 years). Only 19 396 patients (20.1%) underwent transfer. Patient-level factors associated with nontransfer included age older than 65 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.70; 95% CI, 1.46-1.98; P < .001), severe chest injury (AOR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.42-1.89; P < .001), and commercial insurance (vs self-pay: AOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.15-1.67; P < .001). Center-level factors associated with nontransfer included larger bed size (>600 vs <200 beds: AOR, 9.22; 95% CI, 7.70-11.05; P < .001), nontrauma center (vs level III centers: AOR, 2.71; 95% CI, 2.44-3.01; P < .001), university affiliation (vs community: AOR, 9.68; 95% CI, 8.03-11.66; P < .001), more trauma surgeons (per surgeon: AOR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.09; P < .001), and more neurosurgeons (per surgeon: AOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.23-1.28; P < .001). For-profit status was associated with nontransfer at nontrauma centers (AOR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.39-1.74; P < .001), but not at level III, IV, and V trauma centers. Overall, patient-level factors accounted for 36% and center-level factors accounted for 58% of the variation in transfer practices. Patient-level factors accounted for more variation at level III, IV, and V trauma centers (44%), but less variation at nontrauma centers (13%).

Conclusions and Relevance

Only 1 in 5 patients meeting ACS transfer criteria underwent transfer. Factors associated with nontransfer may be useful for trauma system stakeholders to target education and outreach to guide development of more inclusive trauma systems. Further study is necessary to critically evaluate whether these ACS criteria identify patients who require transfer.

Age-related Disparities in Trauma Center Access for Severe Head Injuries Following the Release of the Updated Field Triage Guidelines

OBJECTIVE

In 2006, the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released field triage guidelines with special consideration for older adults. Additional considerations for direct transport to a Level I or II trauma center (TC) were added in 2011, reflecting perceived undertriage to TCs for older adults. We examined whether age-based disparities in TC care for severe head injury decreased following introduction of the 2011 revisions.

METHODS

A pre-post design analyzing the 2009 and 2012 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Emergency Department Databases and State Inpatient Databases with multivariable logistic regressions considered changes in 1) the trauma designation of the emergency department where treatment was initiated and 2) transfer to a TC following initial treatment at a non-TC.

RESULTS

Compared with adults aged 18 to 44 years, after multivariable adjustment, in both years TC care was less likely for adults aged 45 to 64 years (odds ratio [OR] = 0.76 in 2009 and 0.74 in 2012), aged 65 to 84 years (OR = 0.61 and 0.59), and aged 85+ years (OR = 0.53 and 0.56). Between 2009 and 2012, the likelihood of TC care increased for all age groups, with the largest increase among those aged 85+ years (OR = 1.18), which was statistically different (p = 0.02) from the increase among adults aged 18 to 44 years (OR = 1.12). The analysis of transfers yielded similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

Although patterns of increased TC treatment for all groups with severe head trauma indicate improvements, age-based disparities persisted.

Do acute myocardial infarction and stroke mortality vary by distance to hospitals in Switzerland? Results from the Swiss National Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Switzerland has mountains and valleys complicating the access to a hospital and critical care in case of emergencies. Treatment success for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or stroke depends on timely treatment. We examined the relationship between distance to different hospital types and mortality from AMI or stroke in the Swiss National Cohort (SNC) Study.

DESIGN AND SETTING

The SNC is a longitudinal mortality study of the census 2000 population of Switzerland. For 4.5 million Swiss residents not living in a nursing home and older than 30 years in the year 2000, we calculated driving time and straight-line distance from their home to the nearest acute, acute with emergency room, central and university hospital (in total 173 hospitals). On the basis of quintiles, we used multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to estimate HRs of AMI and stroke mortality for driving time distance groups compared to the closest distance group.

RESULTS

Over 8 years, 19 301 AMI and 21 931 stroke deaths occurred. Mean driving time to the nearest acute hospital was 6.5 min (29.7 min to a university hospital). For AMI mortality, driving time to a university hospital showed the strongest association among the four types of hospitals with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.19 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.30) and 1.10 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.20) for men and women aged 65+ years when comparing the highest quintile with the lowest quintile of driving time. For stroke mortality, the association with university hospital driving time was less pronounced than for AMI mortality and did not show a clear incremental pattern with increasing driving time. There was no association with driving time to the nearest hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

The increasing AMI mortality with increasing driving time to the nearest university hospital but not to any nearest hospital reflects a complex interplay of many factors along the care pathway.

Variation of Blunt Traumatic Injury with Age in Older Adults: Statewide Analysis 2011-14

Introduction

Traumatic injury is a leading cause of death and disability in adults ≥ 65 years old, but there are few epidemiological studies addressing this issue. The aim of this study was to assess how characteristics of blunt traumatic injuries in adults ≥ 65 vary by age.

Methods

Using data from the a single-state trauma registry, this retrospective cohort study examined injured patients ≥ 65 admitted to all Level I and Level II trauma centers in Pennsylvania between 2011 and 2014 (n=38,562). Patients were stratified by age into three subgroups (age 65–74; 75–84; ≥85). We compared demographics, injury, and system-level across groups.

Results

We found significant increases in the proportion of female gender, (48.6% vs. 58.7% vs. 67.7%), white race (89.1% vs. 92.6% vs. 94.6%), and non-Hispanic ethnicity (97.5% vs. 98.6% vs. 99.4%) across advancing age across age groups, respectively. As age increased, the proportion of falls (69.9% vs. 82.1% vs. 90.3%), in-hospital mortality (4.6% vs. 6.2% vs. 6.8%), and proportion of patients arriving to the hospital via ambulance also increased (73.6% vs. 75.8% vs. 81.1%), while median injury severity plateaued (9.0% all groups) and the proportion of Level I trauma alerts (10.6% vs. 8.2% vs. 6.7%) decreased. We found no trend between age and patient transfer status. The five most common diagnoses were vertebral fracture, rib fracture, head contusion, open head wound, and intracranial hemorrhage, with vertebral fracture and head contusion increasing with age, and rib fracture decreasing with age.

Conclusion

In a large cohort of older adults with trauma (n= 38,000), we found, with advancing age, a decrease in trauma alert level, despite an increase in mortality and a decrease in demographic diversity. This descriptive study provides a framework for future research on the relationship between age and blunt traumatic injury in older adults.

The Triage of Injured Patients: Mechanism of Injury, Regardless of Injury Severity, Determines Hospital Destination

The target rate for trauma undertriage is <5 per cent, but rates are as high as 30 to 40 per cent in many trauma systems. Wehypothesized that high undertriage rates were duetothe tendencyto undertriage injured elderly patients and a growing elderly population. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all hospital visits in California using the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development Database over a 5-year period. All hospital admissions and emergency department visits associated with injury were longitudinally linked. The primary outcome was triage pattern. Triage patterns were stratified across three dimensions: age, mechanism of injury, and access to care. A total of 60,182 severely injured patients were included in the analysis. Fall-related injuries were frequently undertriaged compared with injuries from motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) and penetrating trauma (52% vs 12% and 10%, respectively). This pattern was true for all age groups. Conversely, MVCs and penetrating traumas were associated with high rates of overtriage (>70% for both). In conclusion, in contrast to our hypothesis, we found that triage is largely determined by mechanism of injury regardless of injury severity. High rates of undertriage are largely due to the undertriage of fall-related injuries, which occurs in both younger and older adults. Patients injured after MVCs and penetrating trauma victims are brought to trauma centers regardless of injury severity, resulting in high rates of overtriage. These findings suggest an opportunity to improve trauma system performance.

The Triage of Injured Patients: Mechanism of Injury, Regardless of Injury Severity, Determines Hospital Destination

The target rate for trauma undertriage is <5 per cent, but rates are as high as 30 to 40 per cent in many trauma systems. We hypothesized that high undertriage rates were due to the tendency to undertriage injured elderly patients and a growing elderly population. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all hospital visits in California using the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development Database over a 5-year period. All hospital admissions and emergency department visits associated with injury were longitudinally linked. The primary outcome was triage pattern. Triage patterns were stratified across three dimensions: age, mechanism of injury, and access to care. A total of 60,182 severely injured patients were included in the analysis. Fall-related injuries were frequently undertriaged compared with injuries from motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) and penetrating trauma (52% vs 12% and 10%, respectively). This pattern was true for all age groups. Conversely, MVCs and penetrating traumas were associated with high rates of overtriage (>70% for both). In conclusion, in contrast to our hypothesis, we found that triage is largely determined by mechanism of injury regardless of injury severity. High rates of undertriage are largely due to the undertriage of fall-related injuries, which occurs in both younger and older adults. Patients injured after MVCs and penetrating trauma victims are brought to trauma centers regardless of injury severity, resulting in high rates of overtriage. These findings suggest an opportunity to improve trauma system performance.

Do male and female trauma patients receive the same prehospital care?: an observational follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Trauma-related mortality can be lowered by efficient prehospital care. Less is known about whether gender influences the prehospital trauma care provided. The aim of this study was to explore gender-related differences in prehospital trauma care of severely injured trauma patients, with a special focus on triage, transportation, and interventions.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective observational study based on local trauma registries and hospital and ambulance records in Stockholm County, Sweden. A total of 383 trauma patients (279 males and 104 females) > 15 years of age with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of > 15 transported to emergency care hospitals in the Stockholm area were included.

RESULTS

Male patients had a 2.75 higher odds ratio (95 % CI, 1.2-6.2) for receiving the highest prehospital priority compared to females on controlling for injury mechanism and vital signs on scene. No significant difference between genders was detected regarding other aspects of the prehospital care provided.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that prehospital prioritization among severely injured late adolescent and adult trauma patients differs between genders. Knowledge of a more diffuse presentation of symptoms in female trauma patients despite severe injury may help to adapt and improve prehospital trauma care for this group.

Nonoperative management of splenic injuries: significance of age

BACKGROUND

In the nonoperative management (NOM) of blunt splenic injuries (BSI), the clinical relevance of age as a risk factor has not been well studied.

METHODS

Using the 2011 National Trauma Data Bank data set, age was analyzed both as a continuous variable and a categorical variable (group 1 [13-54 y], group 2 [55-74 y], and group 3 [≥75 y]). BSI severity was stratified by abbreviated injury scale (AIS): group 1 (AIS ≤2), group 2 (AIS 3), and group 3 (AIS ≥4). A semiparametric proportional odds model was used to model NOM outcomes and effects due to age and BSI severity.

RESULTS

Of 15,113 subjects, 15.3% failed NOM. The odds of failure increased by a factor of 1.014 for each year of age, or factor of 1.5 for groups 2 and 3 each. BSI severity groups 2 and 3 had increases in the odds of failure by factors of 3.9 and 13, respectively, compared with those of group 1. Most failures occurred by 48 h irrespective of age. The effect of age was most pronounced in age groups 2 and 3 with the most severe BSI, where a NOM failure rate of >50% was seen. Both age and failure of NOM were independent predictors of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Age is associated with failure of NOM but its effect seems more clinically relevant only in high-grade BSI. Factors that could influence NOM success in elderly patients with high-grade injuries deserve further study.

Prevalence of Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma in Elders Admitted to a Reference Hospital in Northeastern Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To know the prevalence and etiology of oral and maxillofacial trauma in elders.

METHODS

Analytical quantitative cross-sectional study conducted at a public trauma hospital located in Fortaleza-Ceará, Brazil. The study population comprised patients with trauma who were hospitalized from April to August 2014. Of these patients, patients with oral and maxillofacial trauma were chosen to be included in the research. A questionnaire was administered in order to obtain information on socio-demographics, systemic comorbidities, use of medication, deleterious habits (smoking and alcohol consumption), etiology of oral and maxillofacial trauma and type of pre-hospital care.

RESULTS

Of the 280 elderly hospitalized with trauma, 47 had oral and maxillofacial trauma, with a prevalence of 16.8%. In this group, the age ranged from 60 to 88 years, with a mean age of 72.4 years (SD± 8.38). The elderly were mostly women (55.3%), self-declared pardos (53.2%), who presented with cardiovascular disorders (48.9%), and who received formal pre-hospital care (70.2%). Elderly who were in the 60-69 years age group, spent 6-9 years at school and drank alcohol were 2.64, 3.75, and 1.97, respectively, more likely to suffer oral and maxillofacial trauma. The main causes of trauma were physical aggression, traffic accidents, falls and domestic accidents. All of the physical aggressions resulted in oral and maxillofacial traumas, and the elderly who suffered traffic accidents were four times more likely to have oral and maxillofacial trauma.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of 16.8% and the lack of research on oral and maxillofacial traumas in the elderly is worrisome and should be included in the oral health indicators for the elderly population to support the importance of oral health.

Availability of selected Institute of Medicine recommendations for geriatric care in hospitals providing care to injured older adults

This study evaluated the presence of eight geriatric care Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations in a representative sample of hospitals (N = 128) that provide care to injured older adults. Four data sources were utilized to form a dataset. Descriptive statistics were conducted and Chi-square analyses were used to examine differences among trauma center levels and non-trauma centers. Six IOM recommendations were present in less than 50% of hospitals. Recommendations related to computerized support for risk assessment of two geriatric-specific conditions (CAUTI, pressure ulcers) were present in more than 70% of hospitals. Level I and II trauma centers had greater adoption of recommendations than level III/IV trauma centers and non-trauma centers. Continued efforts are needed to promote and support the advancement of IOM recommendations throughout U.S. hospitals.

Comparison of Mortality and Costs at Trauma and Nontrauma Centers for Minor and Moderately Severe Injuries in California

STUDY OBJECTIVE

We examine differences in inpatient mortality and hospitalization costs at trauma and nontrauma centers for injuries of minor and moderate severity.

METHODS

Inpatient data sets from the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development were analyzed for 2009 to 2011. The study population included patients younger than 85 years and admitted to general, acute care hospitals with a primary diagnosis of a minor or moderate injury. Minor injuries were defined as having a New Injury Severity Score less than 5 and moderate injuries as having a score of 5 to 15. Multivariate logistic regression and generalized linear model with log-link and γ distribution were used to estimate differences in adjusted inpatient mortality and costs.

RESULTS

A total of 126,103 admissions with minor or moderate injury were included in the study population. The unadjusted mortality rate was 6.4 per 1,000 admissions (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.9 to 6.8). There was no significant difference found in mortality between trauma and nontrauma centers in unadjusted (odds ratio 1.2; 95% CI 0.97 to 1.48) or adjusted models (odds ratio 1.1; 95% CI 0.79 to 1.57). The average cost of a hospitalization was $13,465 (95% CI $12,733 to $14,198) and, after adjustment, was 33.1% higher at trauma centers compared with nontrauma centers (95% CI 16.9% to 51.6%).

CONCLUSION

For patients admitted to hospitals for minor and moderate injuries, hospitalization costs in this study population were higher at trauma centers than nontrauma centers, after adjustments for patient clinical-, demographic-, and hospital-level characteristics. Mortality was a rare event in the study population and did not significantly differ between trauma and nontrauma centers.

Access to a Canadian provincial integrated trauma system: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Access to specialised trauma care is an important measure of trauma system efficiency. However, few data are available on access to integrated trauma systems. We aimed to describe access to trauma centres (TCs) in an integrated Canadian trauma system and identify its determinants.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based cohort study including all injured adults admitted to acute care hospitals in the province of Québec between 2006 and 2011. Proportions of injured patients transported directly or transferred to TCs were assessed. Determinants of access were identified through a modified Poisson regression model and a relative importance analysis was used to determine the contribution of each independent variable to predicting access.

RESULTS

Of the 135,653 injury admissions selected, 75% were treated within the trauma system. Among 25,522 patients with major injuries [International Classification of diseases Injury Severity Score (ICISS<0.85)], 90% had access to TCs. Access was higher for patients aged under 65, men and among patients living in more remote areas (p-value <0.001). The region of residence followed by injury mechanism, number of trauma diagnoses, injury severity and age were the most important determinants of access to trauma care.

CONCLUSIONS

In an integrated, mature trauma system, we observed high access to TCs. However, problems in access were observed for the elderly, women and in urban areas where there are many non-designated hospitals. Access to trauma care should be monitored as part of quality of care improvement activities and pre-hospital guidelines for trauma patients should be applied uniformly throughout the province.

Trauma in the geriatric population

Injury in older adults is a looming public health crisis. This article provides a broad overview of geriatric trauma across the continuum of care. After a review of the epidemiology of geriatric trauma, optimal approaches to patient care are presented for triage and transport, trauma team activation and initial assessment, inpatient management, and injury prevention. Special emphasis is given to assessment of frailty, advanced care planning, and transitions of care.

Sarcopenia and frailty in elderly trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia describes a loss of muscle mass and resultant decrease in strength, mobility, and function that can be quantified by CT. We hypothesized that sarcopenia and related frailty characteristics are related to discharge disposition after blunt traumatic injury in the elderly.

METHODS

We reviewed charts of 252 elderly blunt trauma patients who underwent abdominal CT prior to hospital admission. Data for thirteen frailty characteristics were abstracted. Sarcopenia was measured by obtaining skeletal muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) from each patient's psoas major muscle using Slice-O-Matic(®) software. Dispositions were grouped as dependent and independent based on discharge location. χ (2), Fisher's exact, and logistic regression were used to determine factors associated with discharge dependence.

RESULTS

Mean age 76 years, 49 % male, median ISS 9.0 (IQR = 8.0-17.0). Discharge destination was independent in 61.5 %, dependent in 29 %, and 9.5 % of patients died. Each 1 cm(2) increase in psoas muscle CSA was associated with a 20 % decrease in dependent living (p < 0.0001). Gender, weakness, hospital complication, and cognitive impairment were also associated with disposition; ISS was not (p = 0.4754).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower psoas major muscle CSA is related to discharge destination in elderly trauma patients and can be obtained from the admission CT. Lower psoas muscle CSA is related to loss of independence upon discharge in the elderly. The early availability of this variable during the hospitalization of elderly trauma patients may aid in discharge planning and the transition to dependent living.