Trauma audit and quality improvement

The role of a trauma review system and development of intra-operative checklists in improving the quality of fracture fixations in a high volume tertiary centre

INTRODUCTION

In high volume centres, audits are essential to ensure good surgical techniques and fracture fixations to avoid complications, revision surgeries and poor outcomes. A method to assess fixations for fractures of different regions employing different implants and surgical demands is a challenge. We present here a simple method of review and follow-up work flow of more than 6000 fixations every year that helped in improving outcomes and also provide training for residents and junior staff.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The results of 6348 fracture fixations in 2014, led to a trauma review system in January 2015 to classify all fracture fixations by senior consultants into three categories: category A (good fixations); category B (acceptable fixations; need further follow-up); category C (poor/unacceptable fixations needing revision) combined with a teaching program. A strategy was evolved that included the following practices: (1) identifying 'red flag' fractures that led to frequent failures, (2) routine senior surgeons' involvement in such fractures, (3) evolving 'intra-operative checklists', (4) requirement of senior surgeons' intervention if there was a 'fiddle time' of more than 20 min, and (5) approval of post-fixation c-arm image by a senior person before closure. The impact of these rules on the fixations for 2015, 2016 and 2017 were prospectively analysed.

RESULTS

In the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 the number of fracture fixations performed were 6579, 6978 and 7012, respectively. There was a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the number of category A fixations (87.7%, 94.6% and 96.3% in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively) and also a decrease in the number of category C fixations (2.23%, 0.7% and 0.2% in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively). The quality of fixations of the 'red flag' fractures also improved.

CONCLUSION

We present here a very effective, tested, simple and easily reproducible method of audit and follow-up work flow that can be used in all high turnover trauma centres to improve outcomes and can also serve as a teaching resource for junior staff.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

Prognostic model for traumatic death due to bleeding: cross-sectional international study

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate a prognostic model and a simple model to predict death due to bleeding in trauma patients.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study with multivariable logistic regression using data from two large trauma cohorts.

SETTING

274 hospitals from 40 countries in the Clinical Randomisation of Anti-fibrinolytic in Significant Haemorrhage (CRASH-2) trial and 24 hospitals in the Northern French Alps Trauma registry.

PARTICIPANTS

13 485 trauma patients in the CRASH-2 trial and 9945 patients in the Northern French Alps Trauma registry who were admitted to hospital within 3 hours of injury.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

In-hospital death due to bleeding within 28 days.

RESULTS

There were 815 (6%) deaths from bleeding in the CRASH-2 trial and 102 (1%) in the Northern French Alps Trauma registry. The full model included age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), heart rate, respiratory rate and type of injury (penetrating). The simple model included age, SBP and GCS. In a cross-validation procedure by country, discrimination and calibration were adequate (pooled C-statistic 0.85 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.88) for the full model and 0.84 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.88) for the simple model).

CONCLUSION

This prognostic model can identify trauma patients at risk of death due to bleeding in a wide range of settings and can support prehospital triage and trauma audit, including audit of tranexamic acid use.

Development of an emergency general surgery process improvement program

BACKGROUND

The Joint Trauma System has demonstrated improved outcomes through coordinated research and process improvement programs. With fewer combat trauma patients, our military American College of Surgeons level 2 trauma center's ability to maintain a strong trauma Process Improvement (PI) program has become difficult. As emergency general surgery (EGS) patients are similar to trauma patients, our Trauma and Acute Care Surgery (TACS) service developed an EGS PI program analogous to what is done in trauma. We describe the implementation of our novel EGS PI program and its effect on institutional PI proficiency.

METHODS

An EGS registry was developed in 2013. Inclusion criteria were based on AAST published literature. In 2015, EGS registrar and PI coordinator positions were developed and filled with existing trauma staff. A formal EGS PI program began January 1, 2016. Pre- and post-program data was compared to determine the effect including EGS PI events had on increasing yield into our trauma PI program.

RESULTS

In 2016, TACS saw 1001 EGS consults. Four hundred forty-four met criteria for registry inclusion. Eighty-two patients had 131 PI events; re-admission within 30 days, unplanned therapeutic intervention, and unplanned ICU admission were the most common events. Capture of EGS PI events yielded a 49% increase compared with 2015.

CONCLUSION

Overall patient volume and PI events post EGS PI program initiation exceeded those prior to implementation. These data suggest that extending trauma PI principles to EGS may be beneficial in maintaining inter-war military and/or lower volume trauma center readiness.

Evaluation of the quality of trauma care service through the study of deaths in a tertiary hospital

OBJECTIVE

To characterize deaths from trauma in a tertiary hospital and evaluate the quality of care provided to these victims.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study in a referral center for trauma in the period of one year. Through the methodology Trauma Score - Injury Severity Score and the review of medical records, preventable, potentially avoidable and non-preventable deaths were identified and studied.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients were included in the study. There was a predominance of deaths in young, male victims of traffic accidents. The mean Revised Trauma Score, Injury Severity Score and Trauma Score - Injury Severity Score were 5.60, 30.7 and 62.2%, respectively. The rate of deaths considered avoidable was 61.3%, potentially avoidable, 24%, and unavoidable, 14.7%.

CONCLUSION

The study sample had epidemiological features similar to other studies, except for the high rate of avoidable deaths and the high values of the Revised Trauma Score. There were difficulties in obtaining data from medical records, medical imaging and autopsy findings. The quality of care provided to trauma victims in the institution proved unsatisfactory because of problems in collecting and storing data.

Addressing inadequacies in Victoria's trauma system: responses of the Consultative Committee on Road Traffic Fatalities and Victorian trauma services

OBJECTIVES

Victoria's new trauma care system has been followed by reductions in preventable and potentially preventable deaths and in deficiencies contributing to death. This improvement has followed triaging more patients to expanded major trauma services where mortality was already lower rather than to improved results within the major trauma services, metropolitan or rural trauma services or ambulance services, Victoria. The objective of the present study was to identify continuing inadequacies within the individual trauma services and in association with representatives of these services to develop appropriate countermeasures.

METHODS

Initially, presentations were made to each trauma service of their fatalities evaluated after introduction of the new trauma system. At separate working party meetings with each service consensus recommendations were finalized and these disseminated to stakeholders.

RESULTS

Recommendations related to the need for Trauma Director/Coordinator appointments at all designated hospitals receiving major trauma, improved facilities and equipment, the trauma team, referral, communications, protocols, a prompting system, education, audit and feedback, infrastructure, staffing, documentation and inter-hospital patient transfer.

CONCLUSION

Interaction between the Consultative Committee on Road Traffic Fatalities and Victorian trauma services identified continuing deficiencies in the new trauma care system and developed consensus recommendations to target these problems. These require implementation through the State Trauma Committee.

An analysis of in-hospital deaths at a modern combat support hospital

BACKGROUND

Analysis of the epidemiology and attribution of in-hospital deaths is a critical component of learning and process improvement for any trauma center. We sought to perform a detailed analysis of in-hospital deaths at a combat support hospital.

METHODS

All patients with trauma who survived to admission and subsequently died before transfer or discharge during a 1-year period were included. The timing, location, pathogenesis, and circumstances surrounding the death were recorded. Opportunities for improvement (OI) of care were identified for analysis. Cases were presented to a panel of experts, and preventability of the deaths was scored on a continuous 10-point scale.

RESULTS

There were 151 deaths, with the predominant mechanisms of gunshot wounds (GSW) (47%) and blast injuries (42%). Most had severe injuries, with a mean Injury Severity Score of 38, pH of 7.09, and base deficit of 12. Predominant causes of death were head injury (45%) and hemorrhage (32%), and 78% died within 1 hour of admission. Most deaths occurred during the intensive care (35%) or resuscitation phases (31%), but the majority of deaths among nonexpectant patients occurred during the operative phase (38%). OI were identified in 74 deaths (49%), and were found in 78% of nonexpectant deaths. Most improvement opportunities occurred during the resuscitation and transport phases. Most potential improvements were identified at the system level (54%) or individual provider level (42%). Preventability scoring showed excellent inter-rater reliability (r = 0.92, p < 0.001). Deaths with high preventability scores (mean >54) were primarily related to delays in hemorrhage control during the transportation (47%) or resuscitation (43%) phases, and attributed to the system (63%) and individual provider levels (70%).

CONCLUSIONS

In-hospital combat trauma-related deaths at a modern Combat support hospital differ significantly from their civilian counterparts, and present multiple OI of care and potential salvage. Delays in prehospital and in-hospital hemorrhage control are the primary contributors to potential preventability.

Improving performance in the management of severely injured patients in critical care

OBJECTIVE

To determine opportunities for improvement (OI) in the critical care management of severely injured patients in a general adult intensive care unit through a performance improvement (PI) process.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patient records from intensive care patients who had sustained traumatic injuries, except isolated head injury, over a 1-year period. Three assessors independently audited the notes using performance improvement methodology to determine complications, errors in management and preventability. Complications were included when two or more assessors independently detected the complication.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Records from 90 patients with a diagnosis of 'trauma' were reviewed, 14 patients with isolated head injury were excluded. The mean injury severity score was 23 (range 4-43). No complications or errors of management were identified from 41 patients, including ten patients who died. Seventy-two complications were identified in 35 patients including 15 pneumonias, 6 cases of peri-operative hypothermia and 5 recurrent pneumothoraces. Fourteen preventable complications were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The PI OI process highlighted specific opportunities for the improvement of critical care management of trauma patients in our unit. These will be addressed through the introduction of formal tertiary surveys and clinical management guidelines addressing hypothermia and management of coagulopathy.

Peer review audit of trauma deaths in a developing country

OBJECTIVES

Peer review of trauma deaths can be used to evaluate the efficacy of trauma systems. The objective of this study was to estimate teh proportion of preventable trauma deaths and the factors contributing to poor outcome using peer review in a tertiary care hospital in a developing country.

METHODS

All trauma deaths during a 2-year period (1 January 1998 to 30 December 1998) were identified and registered in a computerized trauma registry, and the probability of survival was calculated for all patients. Summary data, including registry information and details of prehospital, emergency room, and definitive care, were provided to all members of the peer review committee 1 week before the committee meeting. The committee then reviewed all cases and classified each death as preventable, potentially preventable, or non-preventable.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

A total fo 279 patients were registered in the trauma registry during the study period, including 18 trauma deaths. Peer review judged that six were preventable, seven were potentially preventable, and four were non-preventable. One patient was excluded because the record was not available for review. The proportion of preventable and potentially preventable deaths was significantly higher in our study than from developed countries. Of the multiple contributing factors identified, the most important were inadequate prehospital transfer, limited hospital resources, and an absence of integrated and organized trauma care. This study summarizes the challenges faced in trauma care in a developing country.

Quality improvement data analysis of a mass casualty event

Trauma auditing is important for monitoring the process of trauma care and outcome prediction. This pilot study was conducted to evaluate quality improvement (QI) data following a mass casualty event and discuss its impact on the trauma care process and outcome. A pre-designed trauma quality improvement data set was used for all 103 injured patients admitted to Asir Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia, who were involved in a single motor vehicle crash. Most of the trauma management variations from norms occurred during the initial assessment and resuscitation phase of care, and these had the greatest impact on morbidity and mortality. Trauma management variations throughout all phases of care were associated with 10% and 9% incidence of preventable morbidity and mortality, respectively. Efforts including rigorous educational programs should be made to stress the initial assessment and resuscitation phase of care. Successful regionalized trauma care systems involving quality improvement programs report significant reduction in morbidity and mortality rates from trauma.

Multiple trauma in children: critical care overview

Multiple trauma is more than the sum of the injuries. Management not only of the physiologic injury but also of the pathophysiologic responses, along with integration of the child's emotional and developmental needs and the child's family, forms the basis of trauma care. Multiple trauma in children also elicits profound psychological responses from the healthcare providers involved with these children. This overview will address the pathophysiology of multiple trauma in children and the general principles of trauma management by an integrated trauma team. Trauma is a systemic disease. Multiple trauma stimulates the release of multiple inflammatory mediators. A lethal triad of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy is the direct result of trauma and secondary injury from the systemic response to trauma. Controlling and responding to the secondary pathophysiologic sequelae of trauma is the cornerstone of trauma management in the multiply injured, critically ill child. Damage control surgery is a new, rational approach to the child with multiple trauma. The selection of children for damage control surgery depends on the severity of injury. Major abdominal vascular injuries and multiple visceral injuries are best considered for this approach. The effective management of childhood multiple trauma requires a combined team approach, consideration of the child and family, an organized trauma system, and an effective quality assurance and improvement mechanism.

Validation of the International Classification of Diseases 10th Edition-based Injury Severity Score (ICISS)

OBJECTIVE

To compare the predictive power of International Classification of Diseases 10th Edition (ICD-10)-based International Classification of Diseases 9th Edition-based Injury Severity Score (ICISS) with Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) and ICD-9CM-based ICISS in the injury severity measure.

METHODS

ICD-10 version of survival risk ratios was derived from 47,750 trauma patients from 35 emergency centers for 1 year. The predictive power of TRISS, the ICD-9CM-based ICISS and ICD-10-based ICISS were compared in a group of 367 severely injured patients admitted to two university hospitals. The predictive power was compared by using the measures of discrimination (disparity, sensitivity, specificity, misclassification rates, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistics), all calculated by logistic regression procedure.

RESULTS

ICD-10-based ICISS showed a lower performance than TRISS and ICD-9CM-based ICISS. When age and Revised Trauma Score were incorporated into the survival probability model, however, ICD-10-based ICISS full model showed a similar predictive power compared with TRISS and ICD-9CM-based ICISS full model. ICD-10-based ICISS had some disadvantages in predicting outcomes among patients with intracranial injuries. However, such weakness was largely compensated by incorporating age and Revised Trauma Score in the model.

CONCLUSION

The ICISS methodology can be extended to ICD-10 horizon as a standard injury severity measure in the place of TRISS, especially when age and Revised Trauma Score were incorporated in the model. For patients with intracranial injuries, the predictive power of ICD-10-based ICISS was relatively low because of differences in the classifying system between ICD-10 and ICD-9CM.

Trauma care in China: challenge and development

The People's Republic of China has significantly improved the general health of its people by a concerted effort in primary health care but trauma care and its prevention remains a problem. This paper provides an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the trauma-care system in China and proposes a strategy for its future development. This includes public-health legislation, the integration of military and civilian practice to provide comprehensive care from the scene of the incident through to rehabilitation, medical audit, the introduction of postgraduate trauma-management training courses and international academic exchanges.

Quality assurance in Canadian emergency departments: a national survey

This survey provides a description of quality assurance (QA) in emergency departments of Canadian hospitals, looking at QA structure, processes, outcome measurements, and applications. With survey questions addressing the existence of a written QA plan, chart audits, mortality review, data collection and reporting, the frequency of comprehensive QA programs was measured. All Canadian hospitals with 200 or more beds were surveyed by mail; 66% responded (134 of 204). Teaching and larger hospitals were more likely to respond. QA structure was reported by 81% of respondents, with 59% of these having a written plan. The majority collected data (74%), issued reports (75%), and had QA committees (50%), but only 34% were computerized. QA processes included chart audits (78%), review of laboratory, radiology, or ECG reports (73%, 46%, 54%, respectively), and mortality review (91%). Comprehensive QA existed in only 12% of responding hospitals.

Outcome of patients with neurotrauma: the effect of a regionalized trauma system

A system of regionalized trauma care was introduced to Sydney in early 1992. This study was carried out to assess the effect of regionalization on the outcome of patients suffering major head injury within the central Sydney area. A prospective before and after study extending over 3 years and centred on the time of designation of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) as a trauma centre, was the methodology used. The study group consisted of all patients admitted with head injury (Glasgow Coma Score < 9; admission systolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg; Injury Severity Score > 15) to RPAH from the central Sydney area. Outcome criteria include survival rates, transfer numbers, and time to definitive neurosurgical care. Fifty patients were entered during the first 18 months of the study, and 38 during the second 18 months. Fifteen in the first group required evacuation of intracranial mass lesions, as did nine in the second group. The overall mortality fell from 42 to 26% (P = 0.13). During the study period there were 77 primary retrievals and 20 required evacuation of mass lesions. The median time from injury to commencement of operation in these patients was 2 h 13 min (range 1 h 3 min-5 h 35 min). There were 11 transfers, four requiring craniotomy. The median time from injury to surgery was 7 h 24 min (range 3 h 2 min-10 h 25 min; P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)