1. Optimizing Trauma Activation Criteria for a Rural Trauma Center.
- Author
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Klarr, Erin, Rhodes-Lyons, Heather Xenia, and Symons, Rachel
- Subjects
WOUND care ,WOUNDS & injuries ,MEDICAL protocols ,HEMOTHORAX ,MEDIASTINUM ,PATIENTS ,HUMAN services programs ,RESEARCH funding ,TRAUMA severity indices ,LOGISTIC regression analysis ,EMERGENCY medical services ,POPULATION geography ,WOUND nursing ,RETROSPECTIVE studies ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,TRAUMA centers ,RURAL health clinics ,DISEASES ,ODDS ratio ,MEDICAL records ,ACQUISITION of data ,PELVIC fractures ,RIB fractures ,DATA analysis software ,CONFIDENCE intervals ,PEDESTRIANS ,MEDICAL triage ,REGRESSION analysis ,NOSOLOGY ,ADULTS - Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is a need for activation criteria that reflect the different factors affecting rural trauma patients. OBJECTIVE: To develop effective activation criteria for a rural trauma center among adults, incorporating variables specific to the geography, mechanisms of injury, and population served. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study conducted from (23 years) January 1, 2000, to July 31, 2023. The data collected patient demographics, injury details, morbidity, and preexisting comorbidity. This research included all adult (≥15 years) true Level I trauma activations defined as an injury severity score > 25 and met the need for trauma intervention criteria. The patients were grouped into adult and elderly categories. The analysis utilized a logistic regression model with the outcome of a true Level I trauma activation. RESULTS: A total of 19,480 patients were included in the sample; 2,858 (14.6%) met the Level I activation criteria. Elderly Level I activation included assault, pedestrian struck, multiple pelvic fractures, traumatic pneumo/hemothorax, mediastinal fracture, sternum fracture, and flail rib fracture. CONCLUSION: Using the findings of the logistic regression model, this center has made more robust activation guidelines adapted to its rural population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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