Trauma care in German-speaking countries: have changes in the curricula led to changes in practice after 10 years?

Registry-Based Mortality Analysis Reveals a High Proportion of Patient Decrees and Presumed Limitation of Therapy in Severe Geriatric Trauma

BACKGROUND

The treatment of severely injured patients, especially in older age, is complex, and based on strict guidelines.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study by analyzing our internal registry for mortality risk factors in deceased trauma patients. All patients that were admitted to the trauma bay of our level-1-trauma center from 2014 to 2018, and that died during the in-hospital treatment, were included. The aim of this study was to carry out a quality assurance concerning the initial care of severely injured patients.

RESULTS

In the 5-year period, 135 trauma patients died. The median (IQR) age was 69 (38-83) years, 71% were male, and the median (IQR) Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 25 (17-34) points. Overall, 41% of the patients suffered from severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) (AIS_head ≥ 4 points). For 12.7%, therapy was finally limited owing to an existing patient's decree; in 64.9% with an uncertain prognosis, a 'therapia minima' was established in consensus with the relatives.

CONCLUSION

Although the mortality rate was primarily related to the severity of the injury, a significant number of deaths were not exclusively due to medical reasons, but also to a self-determined limitation of therapy for severely injured geriatric patients. The conscientious documentation concerning the will of the patient is increasingly important in supporting medical decisions.