A comparison of major trauma patient transport destination in metropolitan Perth, Western Australia
Citation
Source Title
ISSN
Faculty
School
Funding and Sponsorship
Collection
Abstract
Background: Despite evidence of a lower risk of death, major trauma patients are not always transported to Trauma Centres. This study examines the characteristics and outcomes of major trauma patients between transport destinations. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of major trauma patients (Injury Severity Score >15) transported by ambulance was undertaken. Cases were divided into transport destination groups: (1) Direct, those transported to the Trauma Centre directly from the scene; (2) Indirect, those transported to another hospital prior to Trauma Centre transfer and (3) Non-transfers, those transported to a non-Trauma Centre and never subsequently transferred. Median and interquartile range (IQR) were used to describe the groups and differences were assessed using the Kruskal–Wallis test for continuous variables and Pearson chi-square for categorical. Results: A total of 1625 patients were included. The median age was oldest in the non-transfers cohort (72 years IQR 46–84). This group had the highest proportion of falls from standing and head injuries (n = 298/400, 75%, p < 0.001). The non-transfers had the highest proportion of 30-day mortality (n = 134/400, 34%). Conclusions: There were significant differences between the groups with older adults, falls and head injuries over-represented in the non-transfer group. Considering the ageing population, trauma systems will need to adapt.
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Brown, E.; Tohira, Hideo ; Bailey, P.; Finn, Judith (2020)© 2020, Paramedics Australasia. All rights reserved. Introduction Older adults with major trauma are known to have higher mortality rates than their younger counterparts and there is a known survival benefit of treatment ...
-
Williams, Teresa; Finn, Judith; Fatovich, D.; Jacobs, I. (2013)Introduction: Within a trauma system, pre-hospital care is the first step in managing the trauma patient. Timely and appropriate transport of the injured patient to the most appropriate facility is important. Many trauma ...
-
Brown, Elizabeth ; Tohira, Hideo ; Bailey, P.; Fatovich, D.; Pereira, Gavin ; Finn, Judith (2019)Objective: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of older adult (≥65 years) major trauma patients in comparison with younger adults (16–64 years). To determine whether older age is associated with a reduced likelihood ...