Solon JG, Houlihan P, O'Brien DF, Connolly S, O'Toole D, McNamara DA. A review of major trauma admissions to a tertiary adult referral hospital over a ten year period: fewer patients, similar survival.
Surgeon 2011;
10:334-8. [PMID:
23141468 DOI:
10.1016/j.surge.2011.08.006]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2011] [Revised: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Trauma is an important cause for presentation to the emergency department, representing a significant number of emergency surgical admissions. Societal changes result in alterations in the epidemiology of trauma.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to review patients admitted to a tertiary referral hospital as a result of traumatic injuries, assessing for changes in admission epidemiology.
METHODS
Trauma admissions over two year-long periods a decade apart were reviewed. The Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) audit system identified admissions and transfers between June 2006 and May 2007. The Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) system identified those fulfilling TARN criteria a decade earlier. Comparative analysis was performed on the dataset.
RESULTS
There were 367 trauma admissions between June 2006 and May 2007: 88 road traffic accidents (RTAs), 201 falls and 77 other injuries, with 627 admissions a decade earlier: 286 RTAs, 247 falls and 94 others. Males comprised 72% and 69% of RTA admissions in both periods respectively. Firearm-related injuries increased significantly (p = 0.015). Neurosurgical transfers decreased from 256 to 150 with a slight increase in unadjusted overall mortality from 8.5% to 10.9%. Admissions of patients aged less than 19 reduced from 150 to 59 (p = 0.0031) with a similar trend in those aged between 20 and 29 years from 149 to 78.
CONCLUSION
Admissions resulting from RTAs and of patients aged under 30 reduced significantly, however, young males remain the most affected sub-group. Firearm injuries increased significantly, a worrying trend in view of the severity of injury sustained by these victims.
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