Resource commitment to improve outcomes and increase value at a level I trauma center.

BACKGROUND: Optimal care of trauma patients requires cost-effective organization and commitment of trauma center resources. We examined the impact of creating a dedicated trauma care unit (TCU) and adding advanced practice nurses on the quality and cost of care at an adult Level I trauma center. METHODS: Patient demographic and injury data, length of stay, complications, outcomes, and total direct cost of care were evaluated for four 1-year intervals in the recent history of our trauma center: Year A, a trauma team of in-house trauma surgeons and resident physicians; Year B, the addition of nurse practitioners to the trauma team 5 days/week; Year C, the creation of a dedicated TCU for all non intensive care unit trauma patients; and Year D, the addition of a permanent clinical nurse specialist and an increase in nurse practitioner coverage to 7 days/week. For each year, value was determined by calculating the median cost of a survivor and the median cost of a survivor with no complications. Significance was attributed to p<0.05. RESULTS: Patient volume increased from 1,927 in year A to 2,546 by year D. Over the period of study, there was an increase in blunt trauma (87.1-89.9%; p<0.05), median Injury Severity Score (5-6; p<0.05), and patients aged ≥65 years (11.4-19.8%; p<0.05). However, risk-adjusted mortality was unchanged. There was a decrease in patients with a complication (20.8-14.9%; p < 0.05), median intensive care unit length of stay (39.5-23.4 hours; p < 0.05), and median cost of care ($4,306-$3,698; p<0.05). Value increased: both the median costs of a survivor and of a survivor with no complications decreased from $4,259 to $3,658 (p<0.05) and from $3,898 to $3,317 (p<0.05), respectively. The median cost of a survivor with severe injury (Injury Severity Score ≥15) decreased from $17,651 to $12,285 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The addition of a dedicated TCU and advanced practice nurses improved the quality and reduced the cost of care, resulting in increased value at an adult Level I trauma center.

Delayed intracranial hemorrhage after blunt trauma: are patients on preinjury anticoagulants and prescription antiplatelet agents at risk?

BACKGROUND: Trauma centers are more frequently evaluating patients who are receiving anticoagulant or prescription antiplatelet (ACAP) therapy at the time of injury. Because there are reports of delayed intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after blunt trauma in this patient group, we evaluated patients receiving ACAP with a head computed tomography (CT) on admission (CT1) followed by a routine repeat head CT (CT2) in 6 hours. We hypothesized that among patients with no traumatic findings on CT1 and a normal or unchanged interval neurologic examination, the incidence of clinically significant delayed ICH would be zero. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed adult blunt trauma patients admitted to our Level I trauma center from January 2006 to August 2009 who were receiving preinjury ACAP therapy. We reviewed medications, mechanism of injury, head CT results, and outcomes. Demographic data, injury severity scores, international normalized ratio, and neurologic examinations were recorded. We determined the incidence of delayed ICH on CT2 for patients with a negative CT1. RESULTS: Five hundred patients qualified for the protocol. Of these, 424 patients (85%) had a negative CT1. Among these patients, mean age was 75 years; 210 (50%) were male. Fall from standing was the most common mechanism of injury found in 357 patients (84%). Warfarin alone was taken in 68%, clopidogrel alone in 24%, and other agents in 2%. Six percent of patients were taking two agents. Mean international normalized ratio for patients on warfarin was 2.5. Among patients with a negative CT1, CT2 was obtained in 362 patients (85%) and was negative in 358 patients (99%). Four patients (1%) with a negative CT1 had a positive (n = 3) or equivocal (n = 1) CT2. All the changes on CT2 were minor and had either resolved or stabilized on third head CT. Of the four patients with positive or equivocal CT2, none had a change in neurologic examination; however, two had symptoms that could be attributed to head injury. Three were discharged home and one died of cardiac disease unrelated to head trauma. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of delayed ICH in our study was 1%. However, none of the delayed findings were clinically significant. Among patients on ACAP therapy with a negative CT1 and a normal or unchanged neurologic examination, a routine CT2 is unnecessary. We recommend a period of observation to recognize those patients with symptoms that could be due to delayed ICH.

Is risk-adjusted mortality an indicator of quality of care in general surgery?: a comparison of risk adjustment to peer review.

OBJECTIVE(S): Profiling of hospitals using risk-adjusted mortality rates as a measure of quality is becoming increasingly frequent. We sought to determine the validity of this approach by comparing the risk-adjusted predicted mortality to the findings of concurrent peer review and retrospective chart review of deaths that occur on a general surgery service. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted to a busy general surgery service from January 2000 to January 2006 were prospectively entered into the Surgical Activity Tracking System. Rigorous, systematic peer review was performed concurrently by service members on all deaths. Adjudication was later validated by an independent senior surgeon. Three methodologies of risk adjustment (University Health Consortium, Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality, and the Charlson index) were used and compared the "excess mortality" predicted by each to the number of potentially preventable deaths determined by peer review. RESULTS: A total of 9623 patients were admitted and 75 died (0.7%). University Health Consortium and Physiological and Operative Severity Score predicted an excess mortality of 62 and 65 deaths, respectively; Charlson predicted that 73% of the cohort would be dead in 1 year. Concurrent and retrospective peer review found that death was potentially preventable in only 22 and 21 patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Peer adjudication and extensive clinical review adds much to the analysis of an adverse outcome, similar to the "black box" in an airplane crash. Although methods of risk adjustment may be helpful in identifying patients for peer review, they should be used for internal process improvement and not published as metrics of hospital or provider performance.

"Never be wrong": the morbidity of negative and delayed laparotomies after blunt trauma.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the 30-day morbidity of a negative laparotomy (NEGLAP) in blunt abdominal trauma. No previous work has exclusively examined blunt abdominal trauma patients, used a control group, or determined the complication burden incurred by a NEGLAP. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study of a prospectively maintained database, demographics, Injury Severity Score, Revised Trauma Score (TRISS), hospital length of stay, mortality, and findings at laparotomy (LAP) were analyzed. Patients were assigned to four groups as follows: NEGLAP (n = 28), positive LAP (n = 126), delay to LAP (DELAY, n = 18), and no LAP (NOLAP, n = 427). Complications during hospitalization and 30 days postdischarge were extracted from our complication database and adjusted for severity using a complication scoring system (Complication Impact Score [CIS]). The effect of LAP on the log transformed CIS was assessed using a linear regression model, controlling for age and TRISS. RESULTS: Complications per patient ranged from 1.73 (DELAY) to 0.38 (NOLAP), and the average CIS per patient ranged from 7.29 (NEGLAP) to 1.8 (NOLAP). When controlled for TRISS and age, NEGLAP did not significantly increase the CIS (p = 0.620), whereas positive LAP (p = 0.004) and DELAY (p = 0.034) were associated with a significant increase in CIS. CONCLUSIONS: When controlled for TRISS and age, NEGLAP does not increase the complication burden compared with NOLAP. In blunt abdominal trauma patients, operations to establish diagnosis do not add significantly to complication burden.

Implementation of resident work hour restrictions is associated with a reduction in mortality and provider-related complications on the surgical service: a concurrent analysis of 14,610 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of implementation of work hour restrictions on the rates of morbidity, mortality, and provider-related complications in surgical patients and to determine the incremental personnel costs associated with implementation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: In 2003, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education enacted resident work hour restrictions (RWHR) to improve patient safety by decreasing errors attributed to resident fatigue. There are no quantitative data on surgical patients to validate whether this objective has been achieved and, if so, at what cost. METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort analysis of data gathered concurrently with patient care for 30 days after admission or surgical intervention before implementation (prerestriction: July 2001-June 2003) and after (postrestriction: July 2005-June 2007). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: mortality, surgical complications, percentage of complications judged to be provider-related, and incremental personnel costs (salary and fringe of providers). RESULTS: A total of 14,610 patients were admitted during the 2 periods. Compared with the prerestriction period, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of complications attributed to providers (pre: 48.3%; post: 38.6%, P < 0.001) and a significant reduction in mortality rate (pre: 1.9%; post: 1.1%, P = 0.002) in the postrestriction period. Postrestriction the clinical care hours provided by attending surgeons increased significantly and was associated with a 1250% increase in the RVU-82 billing modifier ("no qualified resident available") from 523 RVUs pre-RWHR to 6542 post-RWHR. There was an increase in annual personnel costs postrestriction of $1.466 million. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of RWHR was associated with reduced provider-related complications and mortality suggesting improved patient safety. This was likely due to several factors including reduced resident fatigue and greater attending involvement in clinical care.

Early intubation in the management of trauma patients: indications and outcomes in 1,000 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Practice Management Guidelines identify indications (EI) for early intubation. However, EI have not been clinically validated. Many intubations are performed for other discretionary indications (DI). We evaluated early intubation to assess the incidence and outcomes of those performed for both EI and DI. METHODS: One thousand consecutive intubations performed in the first 2 hours after arrival at our Level I trauma center were reviewed. Indications, outcomes, and trauma surgeon (TS) intubation rates were evaluated. RESULTS: During a 56-month period, 1,000 (9.9%) of 10,137 trauma patients were intubated within 2 hours of arrival. DI were present in 444 (44.4%) and EI in 556 (55.6%). DI were combativeness or altered mental status in 375 (84.5%), airway or respiratory problems in 21 (4.7%), and preoperative management in 48 (10.8%). Injury Severity Score was 14.6 in DI patients and 22.7 in EI patients (p < 0.001). Predicted versus observed survival was 96.6% versus 95.9% in DI patients and 75.2% versus 75.0% in EI patients (p < 0.001). Head Abbreviated Injury Scale score of >or=3 occurred in 32.7% with DI and 52.0% with EI (p < 0.001). Seven (0.7%) surgical airways were performed; two for DI (0.2%). Eleven (1.1%) patients aspirated during intubation and five (0.5%) suffered oral trauma. There were no other significant complications of intubation for either DI or EI and complication rates were similar in the two groups. Delayed intubation (early intubation after leaving the trauma bay) was required in 67 (6.7%) patients and 59 (88.1%) were for combativeness, neurologic deterioration, or respiratory distress or airway problems. Intubation rates varied among TS from 7.6% to 15.3% (p < 0.001) and rates for DI ranged from 3.3% to 7.4% (p < 0.001). There was a statistically insignificant trend among TS with higher intubation rates to perform fewer delayed intubations. CONCLUSIONS: Early intubation for EI as well as DI was safe and effective. One third of the DI patients had significant head injury. Surgical airways were rarely needed and delayed intubations were uncommon. The intubation rates for EI and DI varied significantly among TSs. The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Guidelines may not identify all patients who would benefit from early intubation after injury.

Preemptive craniectomy with craniotomy: what role in the management of severe traumatic brain injury?

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) require aggressive management to prevent secondary brain injury. "Preemptive" craniectomy (CE)--craniectomy performed as a primary procedure in conjunction with craniotomy--has been used as prophylaxis for secondary injury, but the indications and outcomes of craniectomy used for this purpose are not well defined. METHODS: To evaluate the role of CE in the management of TBI, we retrospectively reviewed 62 consecutive patients who underwent CE in a 78-month period at our level I trauma center. A cohort of patients who underwent craniotomy only (CO) during this period was compared with the CE group for TBI patterns, indications for operation, and outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression and matched propensity score analysis were used to test the association between CE and survival. The rate of CE was determined by individual neurosurgeons. RESULTS: Of 197 patients with brain injuries who underwent craniotomy, 62 (31.5%) had CE and 135 (68.5%) had CO. Mean age for CE versus CO was 41 years versus 51 years (p < 0.01). Mean admission Glasgow Coma Score was lower in CE versus CO (7.6 vs. 11.8, p < 0.001); Injury Severity Score was higher (30.2 vs. 26.3, p < 0.01). The indication for operation for CE compared with CO was subdural hematoma in 41 (66.1%) versus 87 (64.4%, p = 0.82), epidural hematoma in 2 (3.2%) versus 26 (19.3%, p < 0.01), and cerebral contusion or hematoma in 15 (24.2%) versus 8 (5.9%, p < 0.001). Postoperative intracranial pressure was monitored in 48 (77.4%) CE and 44 (32.6%) CO patients (p < 0.001). Intracranial pressure <20 was maintained in 26 (54.2%) after CE and in 31 (70.5%) after CO (p = 0.12). In the CE group, 26 (42%) died compared with 31 (26%, p < 0.01) in the CO group. When adjusted for severity of injury, however, there was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups (p = 0.134). The CE rate obtained by a neurosurgeon varied from 8.6% to 75.0% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CE was used in patients with more severe injuries, and particularly in those with more severe head injuries. When adjusted for injury severity, CE was not associated with worsened survival, and therefore may reasonably be included in the armamentarium of neurotrauma care. Use of CE by our neurosurgeons, however, varied significantly. These findings underscore the need for practice guidelines based on randomized trials to fully evaluate the role of CE in the management of TBI.

Tracking outcomes of anorectal surgery: the need for a disease-specific quality assessment tool.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine the nature and timing of complications after common anorectal operations by using a prospective quality tracking tool. METHODS: A prospectively maintained quality database was queried to identify patients who underwent pilonidal sinus excision, hemorrhoidectomy, sphincterotomy, abscess drainage, or fistulotomy during an 11-year interval. All hospital complications were recorded by a single nurse practitioner and verified jointly by the surgical team. Any posthospital complications were registered at the first postoperative visit. RESULTS: A total of 969 patients underwent one of the five index anorectal procedures during the study period. Forty-nine complications occurred in 38 patients (3.9 percent). The majority of complications were minor (40/49; 82 percent) and were primarily urinary retention, minor bleeding, and wound infection. Twenty-five of the 40 minor complications (62 percent) were identified only after hospital discharge in the outpatient setting. Eight of the nine major complications occurred in patients already hospitalized for major concomitant illnesses and were unrelated to the anorectal surgery. The remaining patient had a postoperative deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Complications after anorectal procedures are infrequent, typically minor, and occur after hospital discharge. Major complications reflect concomitant illness, not surgical quality. Meaningful outcome measures are needed to assess the quality of anorectal surgery.

Challenges to the care of the critically ill: novel staffing paradigms.

The current shortage in intensive care unit (ICU) physician staffing coupled with Leapfrog initiatives has lead to novel ICU staffing paradigms including the use of nonsurgeon intensivists in surgical ICUs, increased development of telemedicine, and ICU regionalization.

The prevalence of chronic deep venous thrombosis in trauma: Implications for hospitals and patients.

INTRODUCTION: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is considered a preventable complication in trauma patients. Hospitals risk financial penalties for DVT rates above accepted benchmarks. These penalties do not apply to chronic DVT, which develops before admission. Lower-extremity duplex ultrasound (LEDUS) can detect characteristics of thrombus chronicity, allowing differentiation of chronic from acute DVT. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of chronic DVT in hospitalized trauma patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of trauma patients admitted to our Level I trauma center between July 1, 2006 and October 31, 2016 who had a DVT on initial screening LEDUS. Our center utilizes screening and surveillance LEDUS for patients admitted more than 48 hours. Definitions for chronic and acute DVT were extracted from existing literature. Patients with DVT on initial LEDUS underwent review of that LEDUS to assess clot chronicity and were classified as having acute DVT, chronic DVT, or DVT of indeterminate age. Demographic data, medical history, and injury characteristics were collected. Patients with acute DVT and those with chronic DVT were compared. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic DVT among patients with a DVT on initial LEDUS was 29.9%. Chronic DVT occurred in patients who were older and less severely injured. An above-knee component was significantly more common in chronic DVT (65%). Only 34 (41%) of those with chronic DVT reported a history of DVT. Among the patients with chronic DVT, 44 (53%) had a subsequent LEDUS, of whom 4 (9%) showed thrombus progression and 6 (14%) formed a new DVT. CONCLUSION: Lower-extremity duplex ultrasound can identify chronic DVT, which represents nearly 30% of all DVT found on initial screening LEDUS in trauma patients. Those with chronic DVT should receive pharmacologic and mechanical prophylaxis because of the incidence of progression and new acute DVT. They should also be counseled regarding the possibilities of recurrence and chronic venous insufficiency. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, level III.

Hereditary thrombophilia in trauma patients with venous thromboembolism: Is routine screening necessary?

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), remains a common complication following trauma. The role of hereditary thrombophilia (HT) in posttraumatic VTE is unknown. In the general population with a first-time DVT, Factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin G20210A mutation (PGM) are the most common types of HT with an incidence of 20% to 25% and 6% to 18%, respectively. The objective of this study was to identify the incidence of FVL and PGM in posttraumatic VTE to determine whether routine screening for HT in trauma should be performed. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study at our Level I trauma center from 2013 to 2016 when 70 patients with posttraumatic DVT and PE were screened for FVL and PGM. Demographics, injury characteristics, and established risk factors for VTE were collected for each patient. Statistical analysis was performed to compare patients with and without HT. RESULTS: The incidence of FVL and PGM in posttraumatic VTE was 1.4% and 5.7%, respectively. All HT-positive patients had a DVT and one had an associated PE. Both the individual risk factors and the total number of risk factors for VTE were similar between the HT-positive group and the HT-negative group. CONCLUSION: There was a lower incidence of FVL and PGM in patients with posttraumatic DVT than in patients with a first-time DVT in the general population. HT does not appear to significantly contribute to posttraumatic VTE in our trauma population. Further research is warranted to determine whether routine screening for HT in trauma should be performed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological study, level III; Care management/therapeutic study, level IV.

Toward optimal recording of surgical complications: concurrent tracking compared to the discharge data set.

BACKGROUND: Information extracted from the hospital discharge data set is used increasingly for outcomes research and for benchmarking hospital and provider performance. The accuracy of these data in detecting vascular complications has never been validated. METHODS: We compared morbidity and mortality data derived from the hospital discharge data set to similar data recorded concurrently by our Surgical Activity Tracking System (SATS) for 1 year on the vascular surgery service. RESULTS: Of 798 total admissions, no complications were detected by either system in 598 admissions (75%). In 200 admissions (25%), there were 335 complications, including 24 deaths (3.0%), that occurred either in-hospital or within 30 days of the date of operation or the date of discharge for nonoperative admissions. Of the 335 complications, 180 (53.7%) were recorded by both systems; the SATS missed 59 complications recorded in the hospital discharge data set (17.6%), whereas the hospital discharge data set missed 96 complications recorded in the SATS (28.7%, P = .003). Of the 289 in-hospital complications, the SATS recorded 230 (79.5%), whereas the hospital discharge data set recorded 229 (79.2%). Of the 24 deaths, the hospital discharge data set missed 6 that occurred after discharge but within the 30-day reporting period CONCLUSIONS: Both systems are not completely accurate for tracking inpatient complications. The SATS was more representative than the hospital discharge data set in capturing 30-day morbidity and mortality. An amalgamation of the 2 systems would provide more optimal tracking of complications.

The increasing use of vena cava filters in adult trauma victims: data from the American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Bank.

BACKGROUND: Vena cava filters (VCFs) have been advocated for prophylaxis of pulmonary embolism in trauma patients at high risk for venous thrombosis in whom anticoagulation is contraindicated or not feasible. We sought to determine the frequency of VCF insertion and patterns of use in trauma patients using a large database. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data from the National Trauma Data Bank of the American College of Surgeons on patients over the age of 17 years from 1991 to 2002. We examined the annual frequency of VCF placement, the demographics and injury severity of patients receiving them, and the characteristics of the hospitals at which they were being placed. RESULTS: Of 614,349 patients, 6,282 received a VCF (1%); 86% were placed prophylactically (without an associated discharge diagnosis of either pulmonary embolism or venous thrombosis). Filter use increased significantly from 0.3% of patients in 1994 to 1.2% in 2002 (p < 0.001). There was substantial variation in clinical practice with regard to placement of VCF according to injury type and its perceived risk of venous thromboembolism. VCFs were placed significantly more frequently at hospitals verified as Level I trauma centers. CONCLUSION: VCF insertion has increased significantly during the past 10 years in trauma patients reported to the National Trauma Data Bank. The lack of an evidence-based guideline for their use has resulted in a wide variation in practice. Such variation in practice indicates the need for a consensus conference or a multicenter prospective clinical trial to determine their role in trauma patients.

Vena Cava Filter Use in Trauma and Rates of Pulmonary Embolism, 2003-2015.

IMPORTANCE: Vena cava filter (VCF) placement for pulmonary embolism (PE) prophylaxis in trauma is controversial. Limited research exists detailing trends in VCF use and occurrence of PE over time. OBJECTIVE: To analyze state and nationwide temporal trends in VCF placement and PE occurrence from 2003 to 2015 using available data sets. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective trauma cohort study was conducted using data from the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study (PTOS) (461 974 patients from 2003 to 2015), the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) (5 755 095 patients from 2003 to 2014), and the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) (24 449 476 patients from 2003 to 2013) databases. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Temporal trends in VCF placement and PE rates, filter type (prophylactic or therapeutic), and established predictors of PE (obesity, pregnancy, cancer, deep vein thrombosis, major procedure, spinal cord paralysis, venous injury, lower extremity fracture, pelvic fracture, central line, intracranial hemorrhage, and blood transfusion). Prophylactic filters were defined as VCFs placed before or without an existing PE, while therapeutic filters were defined as VCFs placed after a PE. RESULTS: Of the 461 974 patients in PTOS, the mean (SD) age was 47.2 (26.4) and 61.6% (284 621) were men; of the 5 755 095 patients in NTDB, the mean age (SD) was 42.0 (24.3) and 63.7% (3 666 504) were men; and of the 24 449 476 patients in NIS, the mean (SD) age was 58.0 (25.2) and 49.7% (12 160 231) were men. Of patients receiving a filter (11 405 in the PTOS, 71 029 in the NTDB, and 189 957 in the NIS), most were prophylactic VCFs (93.6% in the PTOS, 93.5% in the NTDB, and 93.3% in the NIS). Unadjusted and adjusted temporal trends for the PTOS and NTDB showed initial increases in filter placement followed by significant declines (unadjusted reductions in VCF placement rates, 76.8% in the PTOS and 53.3% in the NTDB). The NIS demonstrated a similar unadjusted trend, with a slight increase and modest decline (22.2%) in VCF placement rates over time; however, adjusted trends showed a slight but significant increase in filter rates. Adjusted PE rates for the PTOS and NTDB showed significant initial increases followed by slight decreases, with limited variation during the declining filter use periods. The NIS showed an initial increase in PE rates followed by a period of stagnation. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Despite a precipitous decline of VCF use in trauma, PE rates remained unchanged during this period. Taking this association into consideration, VCFs may have limited utility in influencing rates of PE. More judicious identification of at-risk patients is warranted to determine individuals who would most benefit from a VCF.

Risk factors for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after traumatic injury: A competing risks analysis.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is typically reported as a composite measure of the quality of trauma center care. Given that recent data suggesting postinjury DVT and PE are distinct clinical processes, a better understanding may result from analyzing them as independent, competing events. Using competing risks analysis, we evaluated our hypothesis that the risk factors and timing of postinjury DVT and PE are different. METHODS: We examined all adult trauma patients admitted to our Level I trauma center from July 2006 to December 2011 who received at least one surveillance duplex ultrasound of the lower extremities and who were at high risk or greater for DVT. Outcomes included DVT and PE events, and time-to-event from admission. We used competing risks analysis to evaluate risk factors for DVT while accounting for PE as a competing event, and vice versa. RESULTS: Of 2,370 patients, 265 (11.2%) had at least one venous thromboembolism event, 235 DVT only, 19 PE only, 11 DVT and PE. Within 2 days of admission, 38% of DVT cases had occurred compared with 26% of PE. Competing risks modeling of DVT as primary event identified older age, severe injury (Injury Severity Score, ≥ 15), mechanical ventilation longer than 4 days, active cancer, history of DVT or PE, major venous repair, male sex, and prophylactic enoxaparin and prophylactic heparin as associated risk factors. Modeling of PE as the primary event showed younger age, nonsevere injury (Injury Severity Score, < 15), central line placement, and prophylactic heparin as relevant factors. CONCLUSION: The risk factors for PE and DVT after injury were different, suggesting that they are clinically distinct events that merit independent consideration. Many DVT events occurred early despite prophylaxis, bringing into question the preventability of postinjury DVT. We recommend trauma center quality reporting program measures be revised to account for DVT and PE as unique events. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiologic, level III.

The rate of deep vein thrombosis doubles in trauma patients with hypercoagulable thromboelastography.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in trauma can occur in patients at low risk. Conventional coagulation tests do not predict VTE. Studies investigating thromboelastography (TEG) for VTE risk are conflicting and have not included routine surveillance to detect deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We undertook a prospective study of TEG to evaluate its utility in predicting VTE. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study on all adult trauma patients admitted to our Level I trauma center from 2013 to 2015. TEG was performed immediately on arrival to the trauma bay. Hypercoagulable TEG was defined as reaction time (R) below, angle (α) above, or maximum amplitude (MA) above reference ranges. All patients received mechanical and/or pharmacologic prophylaxis and were followed up for DVT with our ultrasound surveillance protocol. The primary outcome was lower-extremity DVT. After bivariate analysis of variables related to DVT, those with p values of 0.100 or less were included for multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 983 patients were evaluated with TEG on admission; of these, 684 (69.6%) received at least one surveillance ultrasound during the index admission. Lower-extremity DVT was diagnosed in 99 (14.5%) patients. Hypercoagulability based on admission TEG occurred in 582 (85.1%) patients. The lower-extremity DVT rate was higher in patients with hypercoagulable TEG than in those without hypercoagulable TEG (15.6% vs. 8%; p = 0.039). Multivariate analysis showed hypercoagulable TEG remained associated with DVT after adjustment for relevant covariates available at admission, with an odds ratio of 2.41 (95% confidence interval, 1.11-5.24; p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Most trauma patients were hypercoagulable at admission and remained at risk of developing DVT. The rate of DVT doubled in patients with hypercoagulable TEG indices despite prophylaxis. Beyond its current clinical roles, TEG is useful for assessing DVT risk, particularly in patients otherwise perceived to be at low risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic study, level II.

"Delay to operating room" fails to identify adverse outcomes at a Level I trauma center.

BACKGROUND: The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma devised process audit filters to identify opportunities for improvement (OFI), prevent adverse outcomes, and improve quality. Delay to the operating room for primary trauma laparotomy is a process audit filter that has not been definitively associated with improved outcomes. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of delay to the operating room of greater than 2 hours (DOR) to independently identify an adverse outcome or an OFI at our Level I trauma center. METHODS: Trauma patients who underwent primary exploratory laparotomy from July 2006 to March 2015 were reviewed. Those with DOR were identified and compared with those without DOR. To analyze the ability of DOR to independently identify an adverse outcome or an OFI, DOR patients were further divided into those with isolated DOR and those with DOR in conjunction with one or more other process audit filter. Primary outcome was the presence of a complication. Secondary outcome was an identified OFI. Medical records of patients with either outcome were reviewed to determine if the outcome resulted directly from DOR. RESULTS: Of 472 patients, 109 (23%) had DOR and 363 (77%) did not. There were no significant differences in age, sex, or injury severity between the two groups. The rates of complications among DOR patients and those without DOR were not significantly different (35% vs. 38%, p = 0.59). The DOR was the only process audit filter flagged in 31(28%) patients in the DOR group. This subgroup had no identified complications but incurred two OFIs; neither OFI was associated with an adverse outcome. CONCLUSION: In trauma patients undergoing primary exploratory laparotomy, DOR fails to independently identify adverse outcomes. These findings suggest that DOR, as a routinely collected process audit filter, is not an effective indicator of suboptimal care or adverse outcomes at a Level I trauma center. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV; prognostic study, level III.

Routine neurosurgical consultation is not necessary in mild blunt traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: The Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines provide indications for neurosurgical intervention in traumatic brain injury (TBI) with moderate or severe intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). In TBI patients with less severe ICH, the utility of neurosurgical consultation remains unclear. We sought to determine if routine neurosurgical consultation is necessary for mild blunt TBI patients with ICH. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 500 consecutive blunt TBI patients aged 15 years or older with Glasgow Coma Scale score of ≥13 and ICH on initial head computed tomography admitted to a Level I trauma center over 28 months. Outcomes were neurosurgical intervention (craniotomy, craniectomy, ventriculostomy, or intracranial pressure monitor placement) and in-hospital mortality. Statistical significance was assessed at a p < 0.05. RESULTS: Of 500 patients, 49 (9.8%) underwent neurosurgical intervention. Neurosurgical intervention was more frequent in male patients (75.5% vs. 61.2%, p = 0.049), patients with higher head Abbreviated Injury Scale score (4.7 vs. 3.8, p < 0.0001), patients with an abnormal initial neurological examination (30.6% vs. 12.6%, p = 0.001), or patients with skull fracture (28.6% vs. 16.0%, p = 0.026) and was associated with higher mortality (8.2% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.010). Neurosurgical intervention was not associated with intoxication, preinjury antiplatelet/anticoagulation agents, or progression of ICH on second head computed tomography. Neurosurgical consultation was documented in 466 patients (93.2%). For patients without neurosurgical intervention, consultation did not change management. CONCLUSION: Routine neurosurgical consultation for blunt TBI with ICH seems unnecessary, regardless of intoxication or preinjury antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy. A more selective approach is warranted to decrease hospital charges and optimize use of neurosurgical consultation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Care management study, level IV.

Sarcopenia as a predictor of mortality in elderly blunt trauma patients: Comparing the masseter to the psoas using computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia, or age-related loss of muscle mass, is measurable by computed tomography (CT). In elderly trauma patients, increased mortality is associated with decreased psoas muscle cross-sectional area (P-Area) on abdominal CT. Fall is the leading cause of injury in the elderly, and head CT is more often obtained. Masseter muscle cross-sectional area (M-Area) is readily measured on head CT. Hypothesizing that M-Area is a satisfactory surrogate for P-Area, we compared the two as markers of sarcopenia and increased mortality in elderly trauma patients. METHODS: All blunt-injured patients aged 65 years or older admitted to our trauma center during 2010 were included. Two-year postdischarge mortality was identified by matching records to county, state, and national death indices. Bilateral M-Area was measured on admission head CT at 2 cm below the zygomatic arch. Bilateral P-Area was measured on abdominal CT at the fourth vertebral body. Average M-Area and P-Area values were calculated for each patient. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the relationship of M-Area and P-Area with mortality. Model predictive performance was calculated using concordance statistics. RESULTS: Among 487 patients, 357 with M-Area and 226 with P-Area were identified. Females had smaller M-Area (3.43 cm vs 4.18 cm; p < 0.050) and P-Area (6.50 cm vs 10.9 cm; p < 0.050) than males. Masseter muscle cross-sectional area correlated with P-Area (rho, 0.38; p < 0.001). Adjusted Cox regression models revealed decreased survival associated with declining M-Area (hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.60-0.96) and P-Area (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-1.00). Masseter muscle cross-sectional area and P-Area discriminated equally well in best-fit models. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly trauma patients, M-Area is an equally valid and more readily available marker of sarcopenia and 2-year mortality than P-Area. Future study should validate M-Area as a metric to identify at-risk patients who may benefit from early intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic study, level III.