Trauma

Analysis and Distribution of Emergency Cases at One of Mexico's Largest Hospitals and Trauma Centers

Objective This study aims to identify the most common emergencies among the population in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico - one of the largest cities in the country - and compare these emergencies and their characteristics with those in other countries and geographical regions. Methods This cross-sectional study included all patients (n = 14,744) treated in the emergency department of Hospital Universitario Dr. José Eleuterio González between September and December 2023. The analysis encompassed all patients registered in the triage census by nurses, excluding those with incomplete records. Since all patients with sufficient data were included, sample size calculation was not required. Statistical analyses included the chi-square test and logistic regression for categorical variables. Results A total of 14,744 emergency department patients were reviewed. Among them, 54.7% were women, with a mean age of 39.07 years (±19.62). Of the total, 92% were from the Monterrey metropolitan area. Traumatic emergencies accounted for 27.5%, with limb injuries being the most common (10.5%). Nontraumatic emergencies made up 72.5%, with abdominal/pelvic pain being the most frequent complaint (13%). The internal medicine department received the highest number of patients (36.1%). The busiest day was Saturday (15.2%), with peak hours at 1:00 p.m. (5.8%). Conclusions The majority of patients were women aged 21-30 years from the metropolitan area, primarily presenting with nontraumatic conditions such as abdominal pain. The highest patient influx occurred on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m., with most cases managed by the internal medicine department. These findings may help authorities and clinicians optimize emergency care resources by anticipating the most common emergencies and peak demand times.

Enhancing trauma triage in low-resource settings using machine learning: a performance comparison with the Kampala Trauma Score

BACKGROUND

Traumatic injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with a disproportionate impact on populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Kampala Trauma Score (KTS) is frequently used for triage in these settings, though its predictive accuracy remains under debate. This study evaluates the effectiveness of machine learning (ML) models in predicting triage decisions and compares their performance to the KTS.

METHODS

Data from 4,109 trauma patients at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, a rural hospital in Uganda, were used to train and evaluate four ML models: Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting (GB), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The models were assessed in regard to accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and AUC-ROC (Area Under the Curve of the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve). Additionally, a multinomial logistic regression model using the KTS was developed as a benchmark for the ML models.

RESULTS

All four ML models outperformed the KTS model, with the RF and GB both achieving AUC-ROC values of 0.91, compared to 0.62 (95% CI: 0.61-0.63) for the KTS (p < 0.01). The RF model demonstrated the highest accuracy at 0.69 (95% CI: 0.68-0.70), while the KTS-based model showed an accuracy of 0.54 (95% CI: 0.52-0.55). Sex, hours to hospital, and age were identified as the most significant predictors in both ML models.

CONCLUSION

ML models demonstrated superior predictive capabilities over the KTS in predicting triage decisions, even when utilising a limited set of injury information about the patients. These findings suggest a promising opportunity to advance trauma care in LMICs by integrating ML into triage decision-making. By leveraging basic demographic and clinical data, these models could provide a foundation for improved resource allocation and patient outcomes, addressing the unique challenges of resource-limited settings. However, further validation is essential to ensure their reliability and integration into clinical practice.

Self-management support program delivered in the sub-acute phase after traumatic injury-study protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Traumatic injuries, defined as physical injuries with sudden onset, are a major cause of distress and disability, with far-reaching societal consequences. A significant proportion of trauma survivors report persistent symptoms and difficulties after the injury, and studies show unmet health care needs. Self-management programs delivered in the sub-acute phase after traumatic injuries are scarcely evaluated. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-management program (SEMPO), delivered 3-4 months after moderate-to-severe traumatic injury.

METHODS

This study protocol describes a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two classical RCT arms (intervention and control) and an explorative self-selection arm. 220 patients will be recruited from Oslo University Hospital, the largest Trauma Referral Centre in Norway. Patients aged 18-72 years residing in the south-east region of Norway, admitted to the Trauma Centre directly or within 72 h after having sustained a moderate to severe traumatic injury, defined as a New Injury Severity Score > 9, having at least 2 days hospital stay, and reporting injury-related symptoms and impairment at discharge from the acute hospital will be included. Patients will be randomly assigned to either a classical RCT randomization arm (intervention or control arm) or to a self-selection arm. In the randomization arm, participants are further randomized into intervention or control group. Participants allocated to the self-selection arm will choose to partake either in the intervention or control arm. The primary outcome is the level of self-efficacy in trauma coping assessed 6 months after completion of the intervention, with a similar time point for the control group. Secondary outcomes include symptom burden, physical functioning and disability, return to work and health care utilization, health-related quality of life, and communication competency. In addition, patients will be asked to nominate one domain-related measurement as their preferred outcome measure.

DISCUSSION

This RCT will determine the effect of a self-management program tailored to patients with moderate to severe physical trauma, and the self-selection arm incorporates the potential influence of patient treatment preferences on intervention results. If the intervention proves effective, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses will be performed and thereby provide important information for clinicians and policy makers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study is registered in Clinical Trials with the identifier: NCT06305819. Registered on March 05, 2004.

Associations of Traumatic Injury with Abnormal Glucose Metabolism: A Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study

Purpose

Empirical data on the association between traumatic injury and abnormal glucose metabolism risk is limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between traumatic injury and abnormal glucose metabolism.

Patients and Methods

This study included 153,162 participants in the Kailuan Study from 2006 to 2013. Participants with abnormal glucose metabolism at baseline were excluded. All participants were monitored every two years until December 31, 2019. During follow-up, 1915 subjects with a first traumatic injury (defined as a physical injury caused by an external force) were identified. For each subject with traumatic injury, one control subject was randomly selected and matched for age (± 3 years) and sex. A total of 3830 subjects were included in the final analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between traumatic injury and the subsequent risk of abnormal glucose metabolism.

Results

During a median follow-up of 6.91 (3.57-9.41) years, 990 abnormal glucose metabolism events occurred. After adjustment for demographics, lifestyle behaviors, and traditional risk factors, those who had traumatic injury compared to controls were 32% more likely to develop any abnormal glucose metabolism (hazard ratio [HR] 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI]1.16-1.49), including impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (HR 1.29; 95% CI 1.12-1.48) and diabetes (HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.10-1.70). The risks for abnormal glucose metabolism, IFG, and diabetes in subjects with moderate-severe injury were higher than in subjects with mild injury for the 1-year follow-up period, while the association was not significantly different by injury severity for the whole follow-up period.

Conclusion

Traumatic injury was associated with an increased risk of abnormal glucose metabolism. However, the risks of outcome events decreased as the follow-up period extended. Improved short- and long-term prevention and management strategies for controlling glucose are needed for individuals with traumatic injury.

Fewer Levels of Dedicated Trauma Care Leads to Better Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Dedicated trauma intensive care units (ICUs) staffed by surgical intensivists lead to better patient outcomes. Increased length of stay (LOS) leads to worse outcomes. Little research has focused on the effect of dedicated trauma medical-surgical units or ICU/medicalsurgical systems. In 2018, our Level 1 trauma center transitioned from 3 non-dedicated levels of care (ICU/stepdown unit/medical-surgical) to 2 dedicated levels of care (ICU/medical-surgical). Our objective was to look at patient outcomes pre- and post-intervention.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of trauma registry data was performed on patients (age ≥18) admitted to the trauma service at a Level 1 rural trauma center over 46-months. In the pre-intervention group, step down and medical-surgical patients were combined as "Non-ICU" for analysis. Standard statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Analysis included 6103 patients. The group demographics were similar, except pre-intervention patients had higher ISS and fewer comorbidities. Emergency department LOS decreased from 30 versus 13.9% (P < .0001) and 15.9 versus 5.8% (P < .0001) for greater than 3 and 6 hours, respectively. Median LOS decreased for all patients (P < .0001). Mortality dropped from 9.0 versus 5.5% (P = .0009) for ICU and 1.7 versus 0.26% (P = .0013) for non-ICU patients. Overall patient mortality was level at 3.7%. Inpatient complications dropped from 9.9 versus 8.5% (P = .07). Unplanned ICU readmissions were unchanged (P = .4169). For patients with 3+ comorbidities, overall LOS dropped by 2 days (P < .0001) and home discharge increased from 42.8 versus 51% (P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Implementation of 2 levels of dedicated care has decreased ED and hospital LOS for all trauma patients without increasing mortality or complications. Patients with extensive comorbidities saw the most improvements.

High-Grade Limbs Open Fractures: Time to Find Milestones in the Emergency Setting

(1) Background: The Gustilo-Anderson (G/A) grading system is a universally accepted tool used to classify high-grade limb open fractures. The purpose of this study is to find early independent predictors of amputation in emergency settings. (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis involving patients treated at our center between 2010 and 2016 was conducted. Patients with at least one G/A grade III fracture or post-traumatic amputation were included. Three groups were identified: G/A IIIA (A group), G/A IIIB-C (BC group), and Amputation group (AMP group). Each group was further divided into two subgroups considering timing of coverage (early vs. delayed). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were developed to identify independent predictors of the limb's outcome. (3) Results: One-hundred-six patients with G/A III A-B-C fractures or amputation of the affected limb were selected from the Niguarda Hospital Trauma Registry. The patients were divided into the A group (26), BC group (66), and AMP group (14). The rate of infectious complications following early or delayed coverage was evaluated: A group, 9.1% vs. 66.7% (p > 0.05); BC group, 32% vs. 63.6% (p = 0.03); and AMP group, 22% vs. 18.5% (p > 0.05). After further recategorization, the BC subgroups were analyzed: multivariate logistic regression model identified systolic blood pressure (SBP) <90 mmHg (p = 0.03) and Mangled Extremity Severity Score MESS ≥ 7 (p = 0.001) were determined to be independent predictors of limb amputation. (4) Conclusion: MESS and SBP serve as predictors of amputation. Based on the results, we propose a new management algorithm for mangled extremities. Early coverage is related to lower rates of infectious complications. Referral to high-volume centers with specific expertise is mandatory to guarantee the best results.

Rehabilitation Needs, Service Provision, and Costs in the First Year Following Traumatic Injuries: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Traumatic injuries, defined as physical injuries with sudden onset, are a major public health problem worldwide. There is a paucity of knowledge regarding rehabilitation needs and service provision for patients with moderate and major trauma, even if rehabilitation research on a spectrum of specific injuries is available.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe the prevalence of rehabilitation needs, the provided services, and functional outcomes across all age groups, levels of injury severity, and geographical regions in the first year after trauma. Direct and indirect costs of rehabilitation provision will also be assessed. The overarching aim is to better understand where to target future efforts.

METHODS

This is a population-based prospective follow-up study. It encompasses patients of all ages with moderate and severe acute traumatic injury (New Injury Severity Score >9) admitted to the regional trauma centers in southeastern and northern Norway over a 1-year period (2020). Sociodemographic and injury data will be collected. Upon hospital discharge, rehabilitation physicians estimate rehabilitation needs. Rehabilitation needs are assessed by the Rehabilitation Complexity Scale Extended-Trauma (RCS E-Trauma; specialized inpatient rehabilitation), Needs and Provision Complexity Scale (NPCS; community-based rehabilitation and health care service delivery), and Family Needs Questionnaire-Pediatric Version (FNQ-P). Patients, family caregivers, or both will complete questionnaires at 6- and 12-month follow-ups, which are supplemented by telephone interviews. Data on functioning and disability, mental health, health-related quality of life measured by the EuroQol Questionnaire (EQ-5D), and needs and provision of rehabilitation and health care services are collected by validated outcome measures. Unmet needs are represented by the discrepancies between the estimates of the RCS E-Trauma and NPCS at the time of a patient's discharge and the rehabilitation services the patient has actually received. Formal service provision (including admission to inpatient- or outpatient-based rehabilitation), informal care, and associated costs will be collected.

RESULTS

The project was funded in December 2018 and approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics in October 2019. Inclusion of patients began at Oslo University Hospital on January 1, 2020, and at the University Hospital of North Norway on February 1, 2020. As of February 2021, we have enrolled 612 patients, and for 286 patients the 6-month follow-up has been completed. Papers will be drafted for publication throughout 2021 and 2022.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will improve our understanding of existing service provision, the gaps between needs and services, and the associated costs for treating patients with moderate and major trauma. This may guide the improvement of rehabilitation and health care resource planning and allocation.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/25980.

Effects of Trauma Center Establishment on the Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury : A Retrospective Analysis from a Single Trauma Center in Korea

Objective

To investigate the effects of trauma center establishment on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of trauma patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods

We enrolled 322 patients with severe trauma and TBI from January 2015 to December 2016. Clinical factors, indexes, and outcomes were compared before and after trauma center establishment (September 2015). The outcome was the Glasgow outcome scale classification at 3 months post-trauma.

Results

Of the 322 patients, 120 (37.3%) and 202 (62.7%) were admitted before and after trauma center establishment, respectively. The two groups were significantly different in age (p=0.038), the trauma location within the city (p=0.010), the proportion of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (p=0.001), and the emergency room stay time (p<0.001). Mortality occurred in 37 patients (11.5%). Although the preventable death rate decreased from before to after center establishment (23.1% vs. 12.5%), the difference was not significant. None of the clinical factors, indexes, or outcomes were different from before to after center establishment for patients with severe TBI (Glasgow coma scale score ≤8). However, the proportion of inter-hospital transfers increased and the time to emergency room arrival was longer in both the entire cohort and patients with severe TBI after versus before trauma center establishment.

Conclusion

We confirmed that for patients with severe trauma and TBI, establishing a trauma center increased the proportion of ICU admissions and decreased the emergency room stay time and preventable death rate. However, management strategies for handling the high proportion of inter-hospital transfers and long times to emergency room arrival will be necessary.

The right team at the right time - Multidisciplinary approach to multi-trauma patient with orthopedic injuries

Integrated, multidisciplinary team approach to the multiply injured patient can help optimize care, minimize morbidity, and reduce mortality. It also provides a framework for accelerated postinjury rehabilitation course. The characteristics and potential benefits of this approach, including team dynamics and interactions, are discussed in this brief review. Emphasis is placed on synergies provided by specialty teams working together in the framework of care coordination, timing of surgical and nonsurgical interventions, and injury/physiologic considerations.

REPUBLISHED WITH PERMISSION FROM

Bach JA, Leskovan JJ, Scharschmidt T, Boulger C, Papadimos TJ, Russell S, Bahner DP, Stawicki SPA. Multidisciplinary approach to multi-trauma patient with orthopedic injuries: the right team at the right time. OPUS 12 Scientist 2012;6(1):6-10.

Intestine immune homeostasis after alcohol and burn injury

Traumatic injury remains one of the most prevalent reasons for patients to be hospitalized. Burn injury accounts for 40,000 hospitalizations in the United States annually, resulting in a large burden on both the health and economic system and costing millions of dollars every year. The complications associated with postburn care can quickly cause life-threatening conditions including sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction and failure. In addition, alcohol intoxication at the time of burn injury has been shown to exacerbate these problems. One of the biggest reasons for the onset of these complications is the global suppression of the host immune system and increased susceptibility to infection. It has been hypothesized that infections after burn and other traumatic injury may stem from pathogenic bacteria from within the host's gastrointestinal tract. The intestine is the major reservoir of bacteria within the host, and many studies have demonstrated perturbations of the intestinal barrier after burn injury. This article reviews the findings of these studies as they pertain to changes in the intestinal immune system after alcohol and burn injury.

Compartmental anatomical classification of traumatic abdominal injuries from the academic point of view and its potential clinical implication

Background

The mechanism and outcome of traumatic abdominal injury (TAI) varies worldwide. Moreover, data comparing TAIs in each abdominal compartment are lacking. We aimed to assess from the academic point of view, TAI based on its anatomical compartments.

Patients & methods

We conducted a retrospective study for TAI patients between 2008 and 2011 in Qatar. Patients were categorized according to the involved anatomical compartment (C): intrathoracic (ITC), retroperitoneal (RPC), true abdomen (TAC), and pelvic abdomen (PAC) group. Chi Square test, One-Way ANOVA and multivariate regression analysis were appropriately performed.

Results

Of 6,888 patients admitted to the trauma unit, 1,036 (15%) had TAI that were grouped as ITC (65%), RPC (15%), TAC (13%), and PAC (7%). The mean age was lowest in ITC (29 ± 13) and highest in TAC (34 ± 11) group, (P = 0.001). Motor vehicle crash was the main mechanism of injury in all groups except for PAC, in which fall dominated. Vast majority of expatriates had PAC and TAC injuries. The main abdominal injuries included liver (35%; ITC), spleen (32%; ITC) and kidneys (18%; RPC). Extra-abdominal injuries involved the head in RPC and ITC, lung in ITC and RPC and extremities in PAC. Mean ISS was higher in RPC and ITC. Abdominal AIS was higher in TAC injuries. Overall hospital mortality was 10%: RPC (15%), TAC (11%), ITC (9.4%) and PAC (1.5%). Concurrent traumatic brain injury (OR 5.3; P = 0.001) and need for blood transfusion (OR 3.03; P = 0.003) were the main independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusion

In addition to its academic value, the anatomical approach of TAI would be a complementary tool for better understanding and prediction of the pattern and outcome of TAI. This would be possible if further research find accurate, early diagnostic tool for this anatomical classification.

Conservative management of major liver necrosis after angioembolization in a patient with blunt trauma

Management of liver injury is challenging particularly for the advanced grades. Increased utility of nonoperative management strategies increases the risk of developing massive liver necrosis (MLN). We reported a case of a 19-year-old male who presented with a history of motor vehicle crash. Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed large liver laceration (Grade 4) with blush and moderate free hemoperitoneum in 3 quadrants. Patient was managed nonoperatively by angioembolization. Two anomalies in hepatic arteries origin were reported and both vessels were selectively cannulated and bilateral gel foam embolization was achieved successfully. The patient developed MLN which was successfully treated conservatively. The follow-up CT showed progressive resolution of necrotic areas with fluid replacement and showed remarkable regeneration of liver tissues. We assume that patients with high-grade liver injuries could be managed successfully with a carefully designed protocol. Special attention should be given to the potential major associated complications. A tailored multidisciplinary approach to manage the subsequent complications would represent the best recommended strategy for favorable outcomes.