Demographic patterns and outcomes of patients in level I trauma centers in three international trauma systems

Amy C. Gunning, K. W. W. Lansink, Karlijn J. P. van Wessem, Zsolt J. Balogh, Frederick P. Rivara, Ronald V. Maier, Luke P. H. Leenen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Introduction
Trauma systems were developed to improve the care for the injured. The designation and elements comprising these systems vary across countries. In this study, we have compared the demographic patterns and patient outcomes of Level I trauma centers in three international trauma systems.
Methods
International multicenter prospective trauma registry-based study, performed in the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, the Netherlands, John Hunter Hospital (JHH), Newcastle, Australia, and Harborview Medical Center (HMC), Seattle, the United States. Inclusion: patients C 18 years, admitted in 2012, registered in the institutional trauma registry.
Results
In UMCU, JHH, and HMC, respectively, 955, 1146, and 4049 patients met the inclusion criteria of which 300, 412, and 1375 patients with Injury Severity Score (ISS)[ 15. Mean ISS was higher in JHH (13.5;p\0.001) and HMC (13.4;p\0.001) compared to UMCU (11.7). Unadjusted mortality: UMCU=6.5 %, JHH=3.6 %, and HMC=4.8 %. Adjusted odds of death: JHH=0.498 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.303–0.818] and HMC=0.473 (95 % CI 0.325–0.690) compared to UMCU. HMC compared to JHH was 1.002 (95 % CI 0.664–1.514). Odds of death patients ISS[15: JHH=0.507 (95 % CI 0.300–0.857) and HMC=0.451 (95 % CI 0.297–0.683) compared to UMCU. HMC=0.931 (95 % CI 0.608–1.425) compared to JHH. TRISS analysis: UMCU: Ws=0.787, Z=1.31,M=0.87; JHH, Ws=3.583, Z=6.7,M=0.89; HMC, Ws=3.902, Z=14.6, M=0.84.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated substantial differences across centers in patient characteristics and mortality, mainly of neurological cause. Future research must investigate whether the outcome differences remain with nonfatal and long-term outcomes. Furthermore, we must focus on the development of a more valid method to compare systems.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2677-2684
JournalWorld journal of surgery: Official journal of the International Society of Surgery = Société Internationale de Chirurgie
Volume39
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

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