Are Spanish surgeons prepared to treat trauma patients? Multicentre descriptive observational study

PURPOSE

Specific training in the management of trauma patients is beneficial for surgeons. Training through specific courses in this area has a direct impact on the care of these patients. The aim of this work is to understand the participation and specific training in the care of trauma patients by Spanish surgeons.

METHODS

A national survey was conducted and administered to all members of the Spanish Association of Surgeons. The survey assessed their degree of participation in emergency surgery, and therefore the probability of attending trauma patients, their assessment of the initial care of trauma patients in their centre, and their specific training in this field.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 510 surgeons from 47 Spanish provinces, with Catalonia and Andalusia being the most represented regions. In total, 456 (89.41%) of those surveyed work in the emergency department on a routine basis. Only 171 (33.53%) refer to having a registry of trauma patients in their hospital. While 79.02% of surgeons reported that general surgeons are not involved in care of severe trauma from the outset, only 66.47% have completed the ATLS course, 40.78% the DSTC course and 18.82% the MUSEC course. Despite this, 85.69% believe that the ATLS course should be compulsory during residency and 43.33% believe that severe trauma care in their hospital is poor or very poor.

CONCLUSION

Only 40% have received specific training in definitive surgical management of severe trauma. Despite this, a large percentage of surgeons work in the emergency department on a routine basis and potentially face the challenge of managing these patients.

[Emergency Surgery and Trauma Care During COVID-19 Pandemic. Recommendations of the Spanish Association of Surgeons]

La infección por el nuevo coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 [COVID-19]) ha determinado la necesidad de la reorganización de muchos centros hospitalarios en el mundo. España, como uno de los epicentros de la enfermedad, ha debido asumir cambios en la práctica totalidad de su territorio. Sin embargo, y desde el inicio de la pandemia, en todos los centros que atienden urgencias quirúrgicas ha sido necesario el mantenimiento de su cobertura, aunque igualmente ha sido inevitable introducir directrices especiales de ajuste al nuevo escenario que permitan el mantenimiento de la excelencia en la calidad asistencial. Este documento desarrolla una serie de indicaciones generales para la cirugía de urgencias y la atención al politraumatizado desarrolladas desde la literatura disponible y consensuadas por un subgrupo de profesionales desde el grupo general Cirugía-AEC-COVID-19. Estas medidas van encaminadas a contemplar un riguroso control de la exposición en pacientes y profesionales, a tener en cuenta las implicaciones de la pandemia sobre diferentes escenarios perioperatorios relacionados con la urgencia y a una adaptación ajustada a la situación del centro en relación con la atención a pacientes infectados.