Should Rib Fracture Patients be Treated at High Acuity Trauma Hospitals?

The application effect of preventive nursing intervention in patients with traumatic flail chest: A retrospective study

This retrospective study explores the intervention effect of preventive nursing on participants with traumatic flail chest caused by multiple rib fractures. In this study, 92 patients with multiple rib fractures from a certain hospital from July 2020 to June 2022 were chosen as the research subjects. They were divided into research group and a control group according to different nursing methods. The control group received routine care. The research group received preventive care on the basis of the control group. Then, questionnaire survey was collected to evaluate the quality of life, pain degree, psychological state, complications, and lung function recovery of patients before and after nursing. In the quality of life score, before nursing, the scores of the research group and the control group were between 52 and 69, and the difference among the participants in the experiment did not possess statistical significance (P > .05). After nursing, the scores of the research group were markedly superior to the control group, and all scores possessed statistical significance (P < .05). In the pain score, the pain scores of the research group and the control group before preventive nursing were 7.87 ± 0.86 and 7.68 ± 0.75, respectively, and the difference among the participants in the experiment did not possess statistical significance (P > .05). After 6 months of nursing, the pain scores of the participants in the experiment were 2.84 ± 0.69 and 3.04 ± 0.72, respectively. The difference among the participants in the experiment possessed statistical significance (P < .05). In the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the psychological state scores of the experimental group and the control group before intervention nursing were 52.87 ± 4.97 and 51.74 ± 4.56, respectively, and the scores after intervention nursing were 22.68 ± 4.69 and 36.87 ± 5.21, respectively. The difference among the participants in the experiment possessed statistical significance (P < .05). Preventive nursing interventions can improve long-term quality of life, significantly alleviate postoperative pain, decrease the incidence of postoperative complications, as well as enhance nursing satisfaction in patients with traumatic flail chest.

Pediatric Trauma Care Disparities: Association of Race and Sex With High Acuity Trauma Hospital Admissions

INTRODUCTION

For adult trauma patients, the likelihood of receiving treatment at a hospital properly equipped for trauma care can vary by race and sex. This study examines whether a pediatric patient's race/ethnicity and sex are associated with treatment at a high acuity trauma hospital (HATH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the 2017 National Inpatient Sample, we identified pediatric trauma patients ( ≤16 y) using International Classification of Diseases-10 codes. Because trauma centers are not defined in National Inpatient Sample, we defined HATHs as hospitals which transferred 0% of pediatric neurotrauma. We used logistic regression to examine associations between race/ethnicity, sex, age, and treatment at a HATH, adjusted for factors including Injury Severity Score, mechanism of injury, and region.

RESULTS

Of 18,085 injured children (median Injury Severity Score 3 [IQR 1-8]), 67% were admitted to a HATH. Compared to White patients, Hispanic (odds ratio [OR] 0.85 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79-0.93]) and other race/ethnicity patients (OR 0.85 [95% CI 0.78-0.93]) had a significantly lower odds of treatment at a HATH. Children aged 2-11 (OR 1.36 [95% CI 1.27-1.46]) were more likely to be treated at a HATH compared to adolescents (age 12-16). After adjustment for other factors, sex was not associated with treatment at a HATH.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated racial and ethnic disparities in access to HATHs for pediatric trauma patients. Hispanic and other race/ethnicity pediatric trauma patients have lower odds of treatment at HATHs. Further research is needed to study the root causes of these disparities to ensure that all children with injuries receive equitable and high-quality care.

Investigating the link between frailty and outcomes in geriatric patients with isolated rib fractures

Background

Studies have shown an increased risk of morbidity in elderly patients suffering rib fractures from blunt trauma. The association between frailty and rib fractures on adverse outcomes is still ill-defined. In the current investigation, we sought to delineate the association between frailty, measured using the Orthopedic Frailty Score (OFS), and outcomes in geriatric patients with isolated rib fractures.

Methods

All geriatric (aged 65 years or older) patients registered in the 2013-2019 Trauma Quality Improvement database with a conservatively managed isolated rib fracture were considered for inclusion. An isolated rib fracture was defined as the presence of ≥1 rib fracture, a thorax Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) between 1 and 5, an AIS ≤1 in all other regions, as well as the absence of pneumothorax, hemothorax, or pulmonary contusion. Based on patients' OFS, patients were classified as non-frail (OFS 0), pre-frail (OFS 1), or frail (OFS ≥2). The prevalence ratio (PR) of composite complications, in-hospital mortality, failure-to-rescue (FTR), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission between the OFS groups was determined using Poisson regression models to adjust for potential confounding.

Results

A total of 65 375 patients met the study's inclusion criteria of whom 60% were non-frail, 29% were pre-frail, and 11% were frail. There was a stepwise increased risk of complications, in-hospital mortality, and FTR from non-frail to pre-frail and frail. Compared with non-frail patients, frail patients exhibited a 87% increased risk of in-hospital mortality [adjusted PR (95% CI): 1.87 (1.52-2.31), p<0.001], a 44% increased risk of complications [adjusted PR (95% CI): 1.44 (1.23-1.67), p<0.001], a doubling in the risk of FTR [adjusted PR (95% CI): 2.08 (1.45-2.98), p<0.001], and a 17% increased risk of ICU admission [adjusted PR (95% CI): 1.17 (1.11-1.23), p<0.001].

Conclusion

There is a strong association between frailty, measured using the OFS, and adverse outcomes in geriatric patients managed conservatively for rib fractures.

Health care utilization outcomes in patients with blunt chest wall trauma following discharge from the emergency department: A retrospective, observational data-linkage study

BACKGROUND

Although much is published reporting clinical outcomes in the patients with blunt chest wall trauma who are admitted to hospital from the ED, less is known about the patients' recovery when they are discharged directly without admission. The aim of this study was to investigate the health care utilization outcomes in adult patients with blunt chest wall trauma, discharged directly from ED in a trauma unit in the United Kingdom.

METHODS

This was a longitudinal, retrospective, single-center, observational study incorporating analysis of linked datasets, using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage databank for admissions to a trauma unit in the Wales, between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020. All patients 16 years or older with a primary diagnosis of blunt chest wall trauma discharged directly home were included. Data were analyzed using a negative binomial regression model.

RESULTS

There were 3,205 presentations to the ED included. Mean age was 53 years, 57% were male, with the predominant injury mechanism being a low velocity fall (50%). 93% of the cohort sustained between 0 and 3 rib fractures. Four percent of the cohort were reported to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 4% using preinjury anticoagulants. On regression analysis, inpatient admissions, outpatient appointments and primary care contacts all significantly increased in the 12-week period postinjury, compared with the 12-week period preinjury (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-1.99; p < 0.001; OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.14-1.43; p < 0.001; OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.02; p < 0.001, respectively). Risk of health care resource utilization increased significantly with each additional year of age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and preinjury anticoagulant use (all p < 0.05). Social deprivation and number of rib fracture did not impact outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrate the need for appropriate signposting and follow-up for patients with blunt chest wall trauma presenting to the ED, not requiring admission to the hospital.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.

Associations Between Psychiatric Diagnoses on Length of Stay and Mortality After Rib Fracture: A Retrospective Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Concurrent psychiatric diagnoses adversely impact outcomes in surgical patients, but their relationship to patients with rib fracture after trauma is less understood. We hypothesized that psychiatric comorbidity would be associated with increases in hospital length of stay (LOS) and mortality risk after rib fracture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The 2017 National Inpatient Sample was queried for adult patients who were admitted with rib fracture after trauma. Mental health disorders were categorized into 34 psychiatric diagnosis groups (PDGs) using clinical classifications software refined for International Classification of Diseases-10. Outcomes of interest were LOS and mortality. Bivariable analysis determined associations between PDGs, patient demographics, hospital characteristics, and outcomes. Logistic regression was performed to identify adjusted effects on mortality, and linear regression was performed to identify effects on LOS.

RESULTS

Of 32,801 patients, median age was 61 y (IQR 46-76), and median LOS was 5 d (IQR 3-9). No PDGs were associated with increased odds of mortality. Concurrent diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum (Coeff. 3.5, 95% CI 2.7-4.4, P < 0.001) or trauma- or stressor-related (Coeff. 1.6, 95% CI 0.9-2.5, P < 0.001) disorders demonstrated the greatest association with prolonged LOS. Increased odds of death and prolonged hospital stay were also associated with male sex, non-White patient race, and surgery occurring at urban and public hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychiatric comorbidities are associated with death after rib fracture but are associated with increased LOS. These findings may help promote multidisciplinary patient management in trauma.

Surgical subspecialization is associated with higher rate of rib fracture stabilization: a retrospective database analysis

Background

Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) is performed on only a small subset of patients who meet guideline-recommended indications for surgery. Although previous studies show that provider specialization was associated with SSRF procedural competency, little is known about the impact of provider specialization on SSRF performance frequency. We hypothesize that provider specialization would impact performance of SSRF.

Methods

The Premier Hospital Database was used to identify adult patients with rib fractures from 2015 and 2019. The outcome of interest was performance of SSRF, defined using International Classification of Diseases—10th Revision Procedure Coding System coding. Patients were categorized as receiving their procedures from a thoracic, general surgeon, or orthopedic surgeon. Patients with missing or other provider types were excluded. Multivariate modeling was performed to evaluate the effect of surgical specialization on outcomes of SSRF. Given a priori assumptions that trauma centers may have different practice patterns, a subgroup analysis was performed excluding patients with ‘trauma center’ admissions.

Results

Among 39 733 patients admitted with rib fractures, 2865 (7.2%) received SSRF. Trauma center admission represented a minority (1034, 36%) of SSRF procedures relative to other admission types (1831, 64%, p=0.15). In a multivariable analysis, thoracic (OR 6.94, 95% CI 5.94–8.11) and orthopedic provider (OR 2.60, 95% CI 2.16–3.14) types were significantly more likely to perform SSRF. In further analyses of trauma center admissions versus non-trauma center admissions, this pattern of SSRF performance was found at non-trauma centers.

Conclusion

The majority of SSRF procedures in the USA are being performed by general surgeons and at non-trauma centers. ‘Subspecialty’ providers in orthopedics and thoracic surgery are performing fewer total SSRF interventions, but are more likely to perform SSRF, especially at non-trauma centers. Provider specialization as a barrier to SSRF may be related to competence in the SSRF procedures and requires further study.

Type

Therapeutic/care management.

Level of evidence

IV

Age as a Barrier to Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures in Patients with Flail Chest

INTRODUCTION

Although randomized trials demonstrate a benefit to surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF), SSRF is rarely performed. We hypothesized older patients were less likely to receive SSRF nationally.

METHODS

The 2016 National Inpatient Sample was used to identify adults with flail chest. Comorbidities and receipt of SSRF were categorized by ICD-10 code. Univariable testing and Multivariable regression were performed to determine the association of demographic characteristics and comorbidities to receipt of SSRF.

RESULTS

1021 patients with flail chest were identified, including 244 (23.9%) who received SSRF. Patients ≥70 years were less likely to receive SSRF. (<70 yrs 201/774 [26.0%] vs ≥70 43/247 [17.4%], P = .006) and had higher risk of death (<70 yrs 39/774 [5.0%] vs ≥70 33/247 [13.4%], P < .001) In multivariable modeling, only age ≥70 years was associated with SSRF (OR .591, P = .005).

CONCLUSION

Despite guideline-based support of SSRF in flail chest, SSRF is performed in <25% of patients. Age ≥70 years is associated with lower rate of SSRF and higher risk of death. Future study should examine barriers to SSRF in older patients.

Risk factors that predict mortality in patients with blunt chest wall trauma: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Over the last 10 years, research has highlighted emerging potential risk factors for poor outcomes following blunt chest wall trauma. The aim was to update a previous systematic review and meta-analysis of the risk factors for mortality in blunt chest wall trauma patients.

METHODS

A systematic review of English and non-English articles using MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library from January 2010 to March 2022 was completed. Broad search terms and inclusion criteria were used. All observational studies were included if they investigated estimates of association between a risk factor and mortality for blunt chest wall trauma patients. Where sufficient data were available, ORs with 95% CIs were calculated using a Mantel-Haenszel method. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic.

RESULTS

73 studies were identified which were of variable quality (including 29 from original review). Identified risk factors for mortality following blunt chest wall trauma were: age 65 years or more (OR: 2.11; 95% CI 1.85 to 2.41), three or more rib fractures (OR: 1.96; 95% CI 1.69 to 2.26) and presence of pre-existing disease (OR: 2.86; 95% CI 1.34 to 6.09). Other new risk factors identified were: increasing Injury Severity Score, need for mechanical ventilation, extremes of body mass index and smoking status. Meta-analysis was not possible for these variables due to insufficient studies and high levels of heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this updated review suggest that despite a change in demographics of trauma patients and subsequent emerging evidence over the last 10 years, the main risk factors for mortality in patients sustaining blunt chest wall trauma remained largely unchanged. A number of new risk factors however have been reported that need consideration when updating current risk prediction models used in the ED.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021242063. Date registered: 29 March 2021. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/%23recordDetails.