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COVID-19 stay-at-home (SAH) orders were impactful on adolescence, when social interactions affect development. This has the potential to change adolescent trauma. A post-hoc multicenter retrospective analysis of adolescent (13-17 years-old) trauma patients (ATPs) at 11 trauma centers was performed. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on injury date: historical control (CONTROL:3/19/2019-6/30/2019, before SAH (PRE:1/1/2020-3/18/2020), and after SAH (POST:3/19/2020-6/30/2020). The POST group was compared to both PRE and CONTROL groups in separate analyses. 726 ATPs were identified across the 3 time periods. POST had a similar penetrating trauma rate compared to both PRE (15.8% vs 13.8%, P = .56) and CONTROL (15.8% vs 14.5%, P = .69). POST also had a similar rate of suicide attempts compared to both PRE (1.2% vs 1.5%, P = .83) and CONTROL (1.2% vs 2.1%, P = .43). However, POST had a higher rate of drug positivity compared to CONTROL (28.6% vs 20.6%, P = .032), but was similar in all other comparisons of alcohol and drugs to PRE and POST periods (all P > .05). Hence ATPs were affected differently than adults and children, as they had a similar rate of penetrating trauma, suicide attempts, and alcohol positivity after SAH orders. However, they had increased drug positivity compared to the CONTROL, but not PRE group.

Introduction Although indications and outcomes for trauma patients who require resuscitative thoracotomies are well studied, little is known about how prehospital chest compressions support survival in patients who do not meet criteria for subsequent resuscitative thoracotomy. Methods Data from a single institutional retrospective review of trauma patients who required prehospital chest compressions from 1/2015 to 12/2020 were collected. Patients who underwent compressions only were compared to those who underwent subsequent resuscitative thoracotomy. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results Fifty-two patients were identified, 22 of whom underwent compressions only and 30 of whom went on to undergo thoracotomy. Patients who underwent compressions only were more likely to be female (36% vs 10%, P = .04), older (mean 46 vs 35 years, P = .04), and to experience blunt trauma (78% vs 43%, P = .01). Injury severity score was similar between the cohorts (mean 18 vs 28, P = .11). One patient in the compressions only cohort had a REBOA placed compared to two in the thoracotomy cohort (1.9% vs 3.67%, P > .99). Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved in 17% of the compressions only cohort compared to 45% of the thoracotomy cohort (P = .03). In-hospital mortality in the compressions only cohort was 100%, whereas in-hospital mortality in the thoracotomy cohort was 94% (P = .50), with a mean of zero survival days in both groups (P = .33). Conclusion Prehospital chest compressions without thoracotomy were uniformly fatal, even if transient ROSC was obtained. Our findings support termination of chest compressions for those trauma patients who do not meet criteria for resuscitative thoracotomy.

Background Bleeding from pelvic fractures can result in a high mortality rate unless quickly triaged by the trauma surgeon. Upon presentation, pelvic radiography may identify fractures that require angiography with possible embolization. We sought to address which fracture patterns seen on initial x-ray are associated with extravasation on angiography. Methods Data from a single institution retrospective review were collected on trauma patients admitted from 2011 to 2018 with pelvic fractures that required angiography. These fractures were identified by initial pelvic x-ray in the trauma bay and include anteroposterior compression (APC), lateral compression (LC), vertical shear (VS), and combined mechanism (CM) fractures, which are graded by severity. Fracture patterns high risk for bleeding, defined as APC II, APC III, LC III, VS, and CM, were compared to low-risk fracture patterns. Results Of the patients reviewed, 28 underwent pelvic angiography, 16 (57%) of which had extravasation. The difference in the incidence of extravasation between high and low-risk fracture patterns did not reach significance (36% vs 79%, P = .05). When comparing patients with acetabular fractures to those without, there was a significantly higher rate of extravasation associated with acetabular fractures (89% vs 42%, P value = .04), which were more likely to occur with LC I fractures (56% vs 11%, P = .02). Conclusion Our data suggest that traditional pelvic fracture patterns may overestimate the presence of extravasation. Acetabular fractures had a high rate of extravasation, suggesting that these fractures should be considered for early angiography with possible embolization when clinically warranted.

Introduction Thromboelastography (TEG) is an assay that assesses the coagulation status. Patients with prolonged reaction time (R) require fresh frozen plasma (FFP); however, the volume required to correct the R time is unknown. We sought to quantify the volume required to correct the R time and calculate the response ratio in our surgical intensive care unit (SICU) to allow for targeted resuscitation Methods Surgical intensive care unit patients between Aug 2017 and July 2019 with a prolonged initial R time and at least two TEG tests performed within 24 hours were included. The response ratio was defined as the change in the R time divided by the number of FFP units. High responders (response ratio >5 minutes/unit) were compared to low responders (response ratio ≤5 minutes/unit). Results Forty-six patients were included. While the mean response ratio was 5 minutes/unit, there was significant variation among patients. There were 28.0 (60.9%) low responders and 18.0 (39.1%) high responders. Low responders were more likely male (64.0% vs. 33.0%, P = .04), had a higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV score (42.0 vs. 27.0, P = .03), and a higher mortality rate (54.0% vs. 22.0%, P = .04). Conclusions On average, one unit of FFP corrects the R time by 5 minutes; however, there was significant variation between high and low responders. Male patients with higher APACHE IV score are expected to be low responders with a higher mortality rate. These findings can guide FFP transfusion and provide additional prognostication.

Introduction Enoxaparin dosed by an anti-Xa trough level is effective at reducing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in trauma patients. We identified the patient characteristics associated with higher enoxaparin dosing based on anti-Xa trough levels. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on trauma patients admitted between August 2014 and February 2018 who received enoxaparin dosed by the anti-Xa trough level. Patients who received enoxaparin < 50 mg every 12 hours were compared to those who required ≥ 50 mg every 12 hours. Results Of the 246 patients included, 32 (13.0%) required enoxaparin ≥ 50 mg every 12 hours to achieve the prophylactic trough level. Factors associated with a higher dose of enoxaparin were male (96.8% vs. 3.2%, P < .01), younger age (39.5 vs. 52.7 years, P < .01), higher creatinine clearance (CrCl) (125.9 vs. 93.7 mL/min, P < .01), higher body surface area (2 m2 vs. 1.8 m2, P < .01), and higher injury severity score (18.4 vs. 10.8, P < .01). Height, weight, and body mass index were not significant factors. On regression analysis, CrCl was the only independent predictor for higher enoxaparin dose. There was an increased deep venous thrombosis rate in the higher dose cohort (12.5% vs. 0, P < .01) but no significant differences in transfusion rates. Conclusion Trauma patients who require higher enoxaparin doses to achieve prophylactic anti-Xa trough levels have a higher CrCl. Patients with high CrCl may benefit from an initial higher dose of enoxaparin to achieve a target anti-Xa level in a shorter time interval to decrease VTE risk.

Elderly patients are at high risk for mortality after injury, and prevention is imperative. Several studies have captured the value of traffic calming or environmental modifications; however, limited data support its use during focused times of the day to reduce pedestrian trauma. This study's aim was to identify when the elderly are more likely to be injured from pedestrian trauma. The Los Angeles County Trauma and Emergency Medicine Information System database was reviewed for all adult pedestrians who were struck by vehicles from 2000 to 2015. Elderly (≥65 years) patients were compared with nonelderly (range, 18–64 years) patients with respect to the time of admission and mortality. The proportion of elderly pedestrian injuries peaked between 9 and 10 am (23%). Compared with their nonelderly counterparts, the elderly were more likely to have a Glasgow Coma Scale ≤8 (11% vs 7%, P < 0.01), be hypotensive (6% vs 3%, P < 0.01), and have a higher Injury Severity Score (median 9 vs 5, P < 0.01). Mortality was significantly higher in the elderly (14% vs 4%, P < 0.01). Elderly pedestrians had an almost 5-fold higher adjusted odds ratio for death: 4.72 ( P < 0.01). Preventative strategies with lower speed limits or high surveillance during these hours in highly populated areas may result in a decreased incidence of these injuries.

Trauma patients have a high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) such that an increased enoxaparin dose is necessary to reduce related complications. Given that most trauma patients require an enoxaparin dose of at least 40 mg every 12 hours for VTE prophylaxis, we sought to identify which patients require enoxaparin 30 mg every 12 hours and hypothesized that both weight and low creatinine clearance (CrCl) would more likely determine enoxaparin dosing than age, body mass index (BMI), or body surface area (BSA). Single institution data were collected on trauma patients between August 2014 and February 2018 to compare trauma patients who required enoxaparin 30 mg to those who required ≥40 mg every 12 hours. Of the 245 patients included, 86 (35.1%) required enoxaparin at 30 mg to achieve the goal anti-factor Xa trough level. Factors associated with low dose enoxaparin were older age (59.6 vs. 46.2 years, P ≤ .01) and lower CrCl (81.5 mL/min vs. 93.7 mL/min, P ≤ .01). Weight, BSA, and BMI did not alter the dose of enoxaparin. A regression model determined that only CrCl predicted the need for low dose enoxaparin (adjusted odds ratio .982, 95% CI: .975-.990, P < .01). Although an initial dose of enoxaparin 40 mg is appropriate for most trauma patients, patients with low CrCl should receive 30 mg. Increased age and low weight were not associated with the need for a lower enoxaparin dose.

Aim Pedestrian fatalities commonly involve alcohol. We sought to characterize alcohol intoxication among pedestrians struck by vehicles and examine correlations between admission time and injury severity. Methods The Los Angeles County Trauma and Emergency Medicine Information System database was reviewed for pedestrians struck by vehicles over a 16-year period starting January 2000. Subjects aged ≥18 years with available time and day of admission were selected. Patients with available blood alcohol content (BAC) were analyzed and those with positive (+) BAC (≥ 0.01%) were compared with those with negative (−) BAC. The primary outcome was mortality. Result 35 840 patients met criteria, with 12 122 (33.8%) tested for BAC. 71.2% were (+) BAC. The proportion of (+) BAC pedestrians peaked at 02:00 (48.9% of admitted pedestrians, 88.5% of BAC tested pedestrians). Patients with a (+) BAC were more likely hypotensive (3.5% vs 2.7%, P = .019) and admitted with a Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 (9.4% vs 7.1%, P < .001). Overall mortality was 4.6%. Those admitted from 06:00 to 11:00 had the highest odds of mortality in (+) BAC patients (4.7%, adjusted odds ratio 3.16, adjusted P < .001). Conclusion Pedestrians struck by vehicles during late hours are commonly intoxicated. These findings could help legislators to implement changes and strategies to decrease the risk and burden of injury in intoxicated pedestrians.

Rapid transfer of trauma patients to a trauma center for definitive management is essential to increase survival. The utilization of helicopter transportation for this purpose remains heavily debated. The purpose of this study was to characterize the trends in helicopter transportations of trauma patients in the United States over the last decade. Subjects with a primary mode of either ground or helicopter transportation were selected from the National Trauma Data Bank datasets 2007 to 2015. Over this period, the proportion of patients transported by a helicopter decreased significantly in a linear fashion from 17 per cent in 2007 to 10.2 per cent in 2015 ( P < 0.001). The overall mortality of this population was 7.6 per cent and remained unchanged over the study period ( P = 0.545). Almost 3 of 10 subjects (29.4%) transported by a helicopter had an Injury Severity Score 65 years) patients requiring helicopter transportation increased by 69.1 per cent, whereas their associated mortality decreased by 21.5 per cent. The use of a helicopter for the transportation of trauma patients has significantly decreased over the last decade without any significant change in mortality, possibly indicating more effective utilization of available resources. Overtriage of patients with minor injuries remained relatively unchanged.

Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often resuscitated with crystalloids in the emergency department (ED) to maintain cerebral perfusion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether crystalloid resuscitation volume impacts mortality in TBI patients. This was a retrospective study of trauma patients with head abbreviated injury scale score ≥2, who received crystalloids during ED resuscitation between 2004 and 2013. Clinical characteristics and volume of crystalloids received in the ED were collected. Patients who received

Although guidelines for the performance of an emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) are available, high level evidence remains scarce potentially leading to variation in decisions and practices among trauma surgeons. The National Trauma Databank was queried for all subjects who died in the emergency department (ED) between 2007 and 2011. Trauma centers were divided into four quartiles based on the rate of EDTamong ED deaths. A total of 31,623 subjects admitted to 729 trauma centers met inclusion criteria. Most of of these centers (n = 328, 53%) never performed an EDT during the study period. Very few outlier centers (1.1%) performed this procedure in 50.0 per cent or more of all patients who died in the ED. Trauma centers in the highest quartiles in performing EDT were more likely to intervene with both surgical and nonsurgical procedures in patients who died in the ED, independent of the performance of an EDT. There are significant variations among trauma centers in the management of trauma patients who expire in the ED. Further research at a national level toward standardizing the management of the trauma patient in extremis and the decision to perform an EDT is necessary, given the extremely low survival associated with this procedure.

Avoiding excess fluid administration is necessary when managing critically ill surgical patients. The aim of this study was to delineate the current practices of IV electrolyte (IVE) replacement in a surgical ICU and quantify their contribution to the fluid balance (FB) status. Patients admitted to the surgical ICU over a six-month period were reviewed. Patients undergoing dialysis and those with ICU stay72 hours were excluded. A total of 248 patients were included. The median age was 60 years, and 57 per cent were male. Overall, 1131 patient ICU days were analyzed. The median daily FB was 672 mL. IVEs were administered in 62 per cent of ICU days. In days that IVEs were used, negative FB was significantly less likely to be achieved (62%

Elderly patients are at high risk for mortality after injury, and prevention is imperative. Several studies have captured the value of traffic calming or environmental modifications; however, limited data support its use during focused times of the day to reduce pedestrian trauma. This study's aim was to identify when the elderly are more likely to be injured from pedestrian trauma. The Los Angeles County Trauma and Emergency Medicine Information System database was reviewed for all adult pedestrians who were struck by vehicles from 2000 to 2015. Elderly (≥65 years) patients were compared with nonelderly (range, 18-64 years) patients with respect to the time of admission and mortality. The proportion of elderly pedestrian injuries peaked between 9 and 10 am (23%). Compared with their nonelderly counterparts, the elderly were more likely to have a Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8 (11%

Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as any death after the development of in-hospital complications, is an important quality measure, but the relationship with age after a traumatic injury, has not been well defined. We sought to examine whether older trauma patients are at higher risk for FTR. The National Trauma Databank (NTDB) research datasets 2007 to 2011 were queried for patients ≥16 years who had any reported complication. Those who survived (non-FTR) were compared with those who did not (FTR) using a forward logistic regression model. Overall, 218,986 subjects met inclusion criteria of those, 201,358 (91.2%) survived their complication (non-FTR) and 17,628 (8.8%) died (FTR). A forward logistic regression identified age 65 to 89 years as the strongest predictor of FTR [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.58 (6.11, 7.08), P < 0.001]. Using age group 16 to 45 years as the reference group, the adjusted risk for FTR increased with increasing age in a stepwise fashion [AOR (95 % CI): 1.94 (1.80, 2.09) for age 46 to 65 years, 6.78 (6.19, 7.42) for age 66 to 89 years and 27.58 [21.81, 34.87] for age ≥90 years]. The adjusted risk of FTR also increased in a stepwise fashion with increasing number of complications, reaching AOR (95 per cent CI) of 2.25 (2.07, 2.45), P < 0.001 for ≥4 complications. The risk of failure to rescue increases with age and number of complications. Strategies which track this quality measure to encourage early recognition and treatment of complications in the elderly are necessary.

The risk of de novo Crohn's disease (CD) after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC) versus inflammatory bowel disease unclassified (IBDU) or indeterminate colitis (IC) remains debatable. Here, we present updated results after long-term follow-up of a previously studied cohort of 334 patients with UC, IBDU, or IC who underwent IPAA during a 10-year period ending 2007. Of 334 study patients, 56 per cent were male and median age was 38 years (range: 8–81). Patients were classified as UC (n = 237) or IBDU (n = 97) preoperatively and UC (n = 236) or IC (n = 98) postoperatively. After a median follow-up of 76 months (range: 3–236), 63 patients (19%) developed CD within a median of 22 months (range: 1–213) from ileostomy closure compared with the previously published 40 patients (12%) with 26-month follow-up ( P = 0.01). The development of de novo CD was similar for patients undergoing IPAA for UC (n = 40; 17%), IBDU (n = 21; 22%) or those classified as having UC (n = 42; 18%) or IC (n = 19; 19%) postoperatively; P > 0.05. Thus, patients with IBDU and IC can expect equivalent long-term outcome to patients with UC after IPAA. Pouch failure occurred in 13 (4%) study patients and was equal among all four groups.

Stab wounds (SW) to the abdomen traditionally require urgent exploration when associated with shock, evisceration, or peritonitis. Hemodynamically stable patients without evisceration may benefit from serial exams even with peritonitis. We compared patients taken directly to the operating room with abdominal SWs (ED-OR) to those admitted for serial exams (ADMIT). We retrospectively reviewed hemodynamically stable patients presenting with any abdominal SW between January 2000 and December 2012. Exclusions included evidence of evisceration, systolic blood pressure ≤110 mm Hg, or blood transfusion. NON-THER was defined as abdominal exploration without identification of intra-abdominal injury requiring repair. Of 142 patients included, 104 were ED-OR and 38 were ADMIT. When ED-OR was compared with ADMIT, abdominal Abbreviated Injury Score was higher (2.4 vs 2.1; P = 0.01) and hospital length of stay was longer (4.8 vs 3.3 days; P = 0.04). Incidence of NON-THER was higher in ED-OR cohort (71% vs 13%; P ≤ 0.001). In a regression model, ED-OR was a predictor of NON-THER (adjusted odds ratio 16.6; P < 0.001). One patient from ED-OR expired after complications from NON-THER. There were no deaths in the ADMIT group. For those patients with abdominal SWs who present with systolic blood pressure ≥110 mm Hg, no blood product transfusion in the emergency department and lacking evisceration, admission for serial abdominal exams may be preferred regardless of abdominal exam.

Although guidelines for the performance of an emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) are available, high level evidence remains scarce potentially leading to variation in decisions and practices among trauma surgeons. The National Trauma Databank was queried for all subjects who died in the emergency department (ED) between 2007 and 2011. Trauma centers were divided into four quartiles based on the rate of EDT among ED deaths. A total of 31,623 subjects admitted to 729 trauma centers met inclusion criteria. Most of of these centers (n = 328, 53%) never performed an EDT during the study period. Very few outlier centers (1.1%) performed this procedure in 50.0 per cent or more of all patients who died in the ED. Trauma centers in the highest quartiles in performing EDT were more likely to intervene with both surgical and nonsurgical procedures in patients who died in the ED, independent of the performance of an EDT. There are significant variations among trauma centers in the management of trauma patients who expire in the ED. Further research at a national level toward standardizing the management of the trauma patient in extremis and the decision to perform an EDT is necessary, given the extremely low survival associated with this procedure.

Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often resuscitated with crystalloids in the emergency department (ED) to maintain cerebral perfusion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether crystalloid resuscitation volume impacts mortality in TBI patients. This was a retrospective study of trauma patients with head abbreviated injury scale score ≥2, who received crystalloids during ED resuscitation between 2004 and 2013. Clinical characteristics and volume of crystalloids received in the ED were collected. Patients who received2 L of crystalloids were categorized as low volume (LOW), whereas those who received ≥2 L were considered high volume (HIGH). Mortality and outcomes were compared. Multivariable regression analysis was used to determine the odds of mortality while controlling for confounders. Over 10 years, 875 patients met inclusion criteria. Overall mortality was 12.5 per cent. Seven hundred and forty-two (85%) were in the LOW cohort and 133 (15%) in the HIGH cohort. Gender and age were similar between the groups. The HIGH cohort had lower admission systolic blood pressure (128 vs 138 mm Hg, P = 0.001), lower Glasgow coma scale score (10 vs 12, P0.001), higher head abbreviated injury scale (3.8 vs 3.3, P0.001), and higher injury severity score (25 vs 18, P0.001). The LOW group had a lower unadjusted mortality (10 vs 26%, P0.001). Multivariable analysis adjusting for confounders demonstrated that those resuscitated with ≥2 L of crystalloids had increased odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratio 2.25, P = 0.005). Higher volume crystalloid resuscitation after TBI is associated with increased mortality, thus limited resuscitation for TBI patients may be indicated.

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) for patients taking an antiplatelet agent is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association between antiplatelet agent use before admission with the risk of in-hospital VTE in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients. A retrospective review of all patients admitted to the surgical ICU at a Level I trauma center over 30 months was performed. Patients who underwent diagnostic imaging for VTE were selected. Patients were divided based on whether or not antiplatelet agents were used before admission (APTA vs NAPTA). The primary outcome was VTE occurrence. A forward logistic regression model was used to identify factors independently associated with the primary outcome. During the study period, 461 (24%) patients met inclusion criteria: 70 (15%) APTA and 391 (85%) NAPTA. After adjusting for confounding factors, APTA patients were at a significantly higher risk for developing VTE (59 vs 40%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 3.0; adjusted P = 0.04). Whether or not antiplatelet agents were resumed during the hospital stay and the day on which they were resumed did not affect VTE risk. In conclusion, surgical ICU patients receiving antiplatelet agents before admission are at a significantly higher risk for development of VTE.

Patients sustaining traumatic injuries are at risk for development of rhabdomyolysis. The effect of obesity on this risk is unknown. This study attempted to characterize the role of obesity in the development of rhabdomyolysis after trauma. This was a retrospective review of all trauma patients with creatine kinase (CK) levels admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) at a Level I trauma center from February 2011 until July 2013. Patients were divided based on their body mass index (BMI): overweight/obese group with BMI 25 kg/m2 or greater and nonoverweight/obese group with BMI less than 25 kg/m2. Primary outcome was CK greater than 10,000 U/L. During the 30-month study period, 198 trauma patients with available CK levels were admitted to the SICU. The majority (27.8%) of patients were involved in a motor vehicle collision. There were 96 patients (48.4%) with BMI 25 kg/m2 or greater and 102 (51.5%) with BMI less than 25 kg/m2. There was no difference in creatinine levels between the two groups (1.5 ± 1.2 mg/dL vs 1.5 ± 1.4 mg/dL, P = 0.83). BMI 25 kg/m2 or greater was independently associated with the development of CK greater than 10,000 U/L (14.6 vs 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio, 3.03; P = 0.04). Patients with BMI 25 kg/m2 or greater are at a significantly higher risk for rhabdomyolysis after trauma. Aggressive CK level monitoring to prevent rhabdomyolysis in this population is strongly encouraged.

The primary aim of this study was to define predictors of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous abscess drainage treatment failure in complicated diverticulitis. A 10-year retrospective analysis of inpatients seen in surgical consultation for diverticular abscess management subsequently referred for CT-guided percutaneous drainage (PD) was conducted. The clinical courses of patients undergoing a technically successful PD were categorized into three groups: 1) no colectomy; 2) elective colectomy; and 3) nonelective colectomy. Forty study patients were identified. Thirteen (33%) of the 40 patients required a nonelective colectomy, 20 patients (50%) underwent elective resection, and seven patients (18%) have been managed nonoperatively with no recurrent diverticulitis for a median of 46.8 months (range, 3.2 to 84.3 months). Forward logistic regression identified the presence of immunosuppression or renal insufficiency (creatinine 1.5 mg/dL or greater) as factors independently associated with failure of PD and need for non-elective colectomy. No clinical, laboratory, or radiologic variables were predictive of long-term nonoperative success. Although PD allows for the resolution of intra-abdominal sepsis for most cases of diverticulitis complicated by an abscess, a substantial proportion progress to nonelective colectomy, emphasizing the need for clinical vigilance in follow-up.

Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as any death after the development of in-hospital complications, is an important quality measure, but the relationship with age after a traumatic injury, has not been well defined. We sought to examine whether older trauma patients are at higher risk for FTR. The National Trauma Databank (NTDB) research datasets 2007 to 2011 were queried for patients ≥16 years who had any reported complication. Those who survived (non-FTR) were compared with those who did not (FTR) using a forward logistic regression model. Overall, 218,986 subjects met inclusion criteria of those, 201,358 (91.2%) survived their complication (non-FTR) and 17,628 (8.8%) died (FTR). A forward logistic regression identified age 65 to 89 years as the strongest predictor of FTR [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.58 (6.11, 7.08), P0.001]. Using age group 16 to 45 years as the reference group, the adjusted risk for FTR increased with increasing age in a stepwise fashion [AOR (95 % CI): 1.94 (1.80, 2.09) for age 46 to 65 years, 6.78 (6.19, 7.42) for age 66 to 89 years and 27.58 [21.81, 34.87] for age ≥90 years]. The adjusted risk of FTR also increased in a stepwise fashion with increasing number of complications, reaching AOR (95 per cent CI) of 2.25 (2.07, 2.45), P0.001 for ≥4 complications. The risk of failure to rescue increases with age and number of complications. Strategies which track this quality measure to encourage early recognition and treatment of complications in the elderly are necessary.

Previous investigations suggest outcome differences at Level I and Level II trauma centers. We examined use of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitors at Level I and Level II trauma centers after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its effect on mortality. The 2007 to 2008 National Trauma Databank was reviewed for patients with an indication for ICP monitoring based on Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guidelines. Demographic and clinical outcomes at Level I and Level II centers were compared by regression modeling. Overall, 15,921 patients met inclusion criteria; 11,017 were admitted to a Level I and 4,904 to a Level II trauma center. Patients with TBI admitted to a Level II trauma center had a lower rate of Injury Severity Score greater than 16 (80 vs 82%, P < 0.01) and lower frequency of head Abbreviated Injury Score greater than 3 (80 vs 82%, P < 0.01). After regression modeling, patients with TBI admitted to a Level II trauma center were 31 per cent less likely to receive an ICP monitor (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.69; P < 0.01) and had a significantly higher mortality (AOR, 1.12; P < 0.01). Admission to a Level II trauma center after severe TBI is associated with a decreased use of ICP monitoring in patients who meet BTF criteria as well as an increased mortality. These differences should be validated prospectively to narrow these discrepancies in care and outcomes between Level I and Level II centers.