Self-harm presentations to hospital trauma centre emergency departments during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns regarding increased suicide-related behaviours. We compared characteristics and counts of Emergency Department (ED) presentations for self-harm, an important suicide-related outcome, during versus prior to the pandemic's first year. We included patients presenting with self-harm to the ED of two trauma centres in Toronto, Canada. Time series models compared intra-pandemic (March 2020-February 2021) presentation counts to predictions from pre-pandemic data. The self-harm proportion of ED presentations was compared between the intra-pandemic period and preceding three years. A retrospective chart review of eligible patients seen from March 2019-February 2021 compared pre- vs. intra-pandemic patient and injury characteristics. While monthly intra-pandemic self-harm counts were largely within expected ranges, the self-harm proportion of total presentations increased. Being widowed (OR=9.46; 95 %CI=1.10-81.08), employment/financial stressors (OR=1.65, 95 %CI=1.06-2.58), job loss (OR=3.83; 95 %CI=1.36-10.76), and chest-stabbing self-harm (OR=2.50; 95 %CI=1.16-5.39) were associated with intra-pandemic presentations. Intra-pandemic self-harm was also associated with Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission (OR=2.18, 95 %CI=1.41-3.38). In summary, while the number of self-harm presentations to these trauma centres did not increase during the early pandemic, their proportion was increased. The association of intra-pandemic self-harm with variables indicating medically severe injury, economic stressors, and being widowed may inform future suicide and self-harm prevention strategies.

Teamwork matters: The association between nontechnical skills and cardiac arrest in trauma patients presenting with hypotension.

BACKGROUND: The impact of trauma team dynamics on outcomes in injured patients is not completely understood. We sought to evaluate the association between trauma team function, as measured by a modified Trauma Non-Technical Skills assessment, and cardiac arrest in hypotensive trauma patients. We hypothesized that better team function is associated with a decreased probability of developing cardiac arrest. METHODS: Trauma video review was used to collect data from resuscitations of adult hypotensive trauma patients at 19 centers. Hypotension at emergency department presentation was defined as an initial systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg or an initial systolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg followed by a systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg within the first 5 minutes. Team dynamics were scored using a modified Trauma Non-Technical Skills assessment composed of 5 domains with combined scores ranging from 5 (best) to 15 (worst). Scores were compared between cardiac arrest/noncardiac arrest cases in the trauma bay. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the independent association between the Trauma Non-Technical Skills assessment and cardiac arrest. RESULTS: A total of 430 patients were included (median age 43 years [interquartile range: 29-61]; 71.8% male; 36% penetrating mechanism; median Injury Severity Score 20 [10-33]; 11% experienced cardiac arrest in trauma bay). The median total Trauma Non-Technical Skills assessment score was 7 (6-9), higher in patients who experienced cardiac arrest in the trauma bay (9 [6-10] vs 7 [6-9]; P = .016). This association persisted after controlling for age, sex, mechanism, injury severity, initial systolic blood pressure, and initial Glasgow Coma Scale score (adjusted odds ratio: 1.28; 95% confidence interval:1.11-1.48; P < .001), indicating a ∼3% higher predicted probability of cardiac arrest per Trauma Non-Technical Skills point. CONCLUSION: Better team function is independently associated with a decreased probability of cardiac arrest in trauma patients presenting with hypotension. This suggests that trauma team training may improve outcomes in peri-arrest patients.

Recent Changes in the Management of High-Grade Blunt Pancreatic Injury in Children: A Nationwide Trend Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of pediatric patients with high-grade blunt pancreatic injury (BPI) involving the main pancreatic duct remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the nationwide trends in the management of pediatric high-grade BPI at pediatric (PTC), mixed (MTC), and adult trauma centers (ATC). STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective observational study of the National Trauma Data Bank. We included pediatric patients (age 16 years or less) sustaining high-grade BPI (Abbreviated Injury Scale 3 or more) from 2011 to 2021. Patients who did not undergo pancreatic operation were categorized into the nonoperative management (NOM) group. Trauma centers were defined as PTC (level I/II pediatric only), MTC (level I/II adult and pediatric), and ATC (level I/II adult only). Primary outcome was the proportion of patients undergoing NOM, and secondary outcomes included the use of ERCP and in-hospital mortality. A Cochran-Armitage test was used to analyze the trend. RESULTS: A total of 811 patients were analyzed. The median age was 9 years (interquartile range 6 to 13), 64% were male patients, and the median injury severity score was 17 (interquartile range 10 to 25). During the study period, there was a significant upward linear trend in the use of NOM and ERCP among the overall cohort (range 48% to 66%; p trend = 0.033, range 6.1% to 19%; p trend = 0.030, respectively). The significant upward trend for NOM was maintained in the subgroup of patients at PTC and MTC (p trend = 0.037), whereas no significant trend was observed at ATC (p trend = 0.61). There was no significant trend in in-hospital mortality (p trend = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: For the management of pediatric patients with high-grade BPI, this study found a significant trend toward increasing use of NOM and ERCP without mortality deterioration, especially at PTC and MTC.

Does frailty impact failure-to-rescue in geriatric trauma patients?

BACKGROUND: Failure-to-rescue (FTR), defined as death following a major complication, is a metric of trauma quality. The impact of patient frailty on FTR has not been fully investigated, especially in geriatric trauma patients. This study hypothesized that frailty increased the risk of FTR in geriatric patients with severe injury. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TQIP database between 2015 and 2019, including geriatric patients with trauma (age ≥65 years) and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15, who survived ≥48 hours postadmission. Frailty was assessed using the modified 5-item frailty index (mFI). Patients were categorized into frail (mFI ≥ 2) and nonfrail (mFI < 2) groups. Logistic regression analysis and a generalized additive model (GAM) were used to examine the association between FTR and patient frailty after controlling for age, sex, type of injury, trauma center level, ISS, and vital signs on admission. RESULTS: Among 52,312 geriatric trauma patients, 34.6% were frail (mean mFI: frail: 2.3 vs. nonfrail: 0.9, p < 0.001). Frail patients were older (age, 77 vs. 74 years, p < 0.001), had a lower ISS (19 vs. 21, p < 0.001), and had a higher incidence of FTR compared with nonfrail patients (8.7% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.006). Logistic regression analysis revealed that frailty was an independent predictor of FTR (odds ratio, 1.32; confidence interval, 1.23-1.44; p < 0.001). The GAM plots showed a linear increase in FTR incidence with increasing mFI after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that frailty independently contributes to an increased risk of FTR in geriatric trauma patients. The impact of patient frailty should be considered when using FTR to measure the quality of trauma care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Influence of COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalisations at a paediatric traumatology department during 2020: a single-centre observational study and comprehensive literature review.

PURPOSE: The study investigates changes in the injury characteristics of hospitalised children in a paediatric trauma centre during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Data from injured children from the pre-pandemic year 2019 were compared to the pandemic year 2020 using Pearson's chi-squared test and the Mann-Whitney U test. The period of highly restrictive regulations (HRP) was evaluated separately. A comprehensive literature review with defined search terms resulted in a descriptive data synthesis. RESULTS: Data from 865 patients indicated reductions in admissions of 5.6% and 54.4% during the HRP. In 2020, the hospitalisation time was longer (2.2 ± 2.7 days in 2019 vs. 2.4 ± 2.6 in 2020, p = 0.045); the proportions of wounds requiring surgical therapy (p = 0.008) and of observational treatments, primarily for mild brain injuries (p = 0.046), were higher; and conservative treatments, primarily for contusions, were lower (p = 0.005). There were no significant changes in age, location of lesions, or frequency of surgical therapy; nor were there differences in the HRP, except for fewer injuries in school and kindergarten (p < 0.001). The literature review summarises the main results of 79 studies. CONCLUSION: Limited resources did not alter the indications for surgical therapy. Further studies should examine whether the more common injuries sustained at home were caused by excessive work/childcare demands on parents. Reduced inpatient conservative treatment implies that hospital resources possibly were overused previously. The literature offers answers to many detailed questions regarding childhood injuries during a pandemic and more efficient safe treatment. Registration Ethical committee of RWTH Aachen University EK 22-320; Center for Translational & Clinical Research RWTH Aachen University (CTC-A) 21-430.

Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment for Pediatric Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Importance: The decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatment for pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is challenging for clinicians and families with limited evidence quantifying existing practices. Given the lack of standardized clinical guidelines, variable practice patterns across trauma centers seem likely. Objective: To evaluate the factors influencing decisions to withdraw life-sustaining treatment across North American trauma centers for pediatric patients with severe TBI and to quantify any existing between-center variability in withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment practices. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study used data collected from 515 trauma centers through the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program between 2017 and 2020. Pediatric patients younger than 19 years with severe TBI and a documented decision for withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment were included. Data were analyzed from January to May 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: A random intercept multilevel logistic regression model was used to quantify patient, injury, and hospital characteristics associated with the decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatment; the median odds ratio was used to characterize residual between-center variability. Centers were ranked by their conditional random intercepts and quartile-specific adjusted mortalities were computed. Results: A total of 9803 children (mean [SD] age, 12.6 [5.7]; 2920 [29.8%] female) with severe TBI were identified, 1003 of whom (10.2%) had a documented decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatment. Patient-level factors associated with an increase in likelihood of withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment were young age (younger than 3 years), higher severity intracranial and extracranial injuries, and mechanism of injury related to firearms. Following adjustment for patient and hospital attributes, the median odds ratio was 1.54 (95% CI, 1.46-1.62), suggesting residual variation in withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment between centers. When centers were grouped into quartiles by their propensity for withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, adjusted mortality was higher for fourth-quartile compared to first-quartile centers (odds ratio, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.45-1.88). Conclusions and Relevance: Several patient and injury factors were associated with withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment decision-making for pediatric patients with severe TBI in this study. Variation in withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment practices between trauma centers was observed after adjustment for case mix; this variation was associated with differences in risk-adjusted mortality rates. Taken together, these findings highlight the presence of inconsistent approaches to withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in children, which speaks to the need for guidelines to address this significant practice pattern variation.

Injury Patterns and Treatment Strategies in Civilian and Military Isolated Abdominal Gunshot Wounds.

BACKGROUND: Combat-related gunshot wounds (GSW) may differ from those found in civilian trauma centers. Missile velocity, resources, logistics, and body armor may affect injury patterns and management strategies. This study compares injury patterns, management, and outcomes in isolated abdominal GSW between military (MIL) and civilian (CIV) populations. METHODS: The Department of Defense Trauma Registry (DoDTR) and TQIP databases were queried for patients with isolated abdominal GSW from 2013 to 2016. MIL patients were propensity score matched 1:3 based on age, sex, and extraabdominal AIS. Injury patterns and in-hospital outcomes were compared. Initial operative management strategies, including selective nonoperative management (SNOM) for isolated solid organ injuries, were also compared. RESULTS: Of the 6435 patients with isolated abdominal GSW, 183 (3%) MIL were identified and matched with 549 CIV patients. The MIL group had more hollow viscus injuries (84% vs. 66%) while the CIV group had more vascular injuries (10% vs. 21%) (p < .05 for both). Operative strategy differed, with more MIL patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy (95% vs. 82%) and colectomy (72% vs. 52%) (p < .05 for both). However, no difference in ostomy creation was appreciated. More SNOM for isolated solid organ injuries was performed in the CIV group (34.1% vs. 12.5%; p < 0.05). In-hospital outcomes, including mortality, were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: MIL abdominal GSW lead to higher rates of hollow viscus injuries compared to CIV GSW. MIL GSW are more frequently treated with resection but with similar ostomy creation compared to civilian GSW. SNOM of solid organ injuries is infrequently performed following MIL GSW.

A comparative study of hip fracture care and outcomes in major trauma centres versus trauma units.

INTRODUCTION: There is good evidence to support that major trauma networks significantly reduce morbidity and mortality in severely injured patients. However, following the introduction of major trauma centres (MTCs) in England in 2012, early concerns were raised regarding the effect on hip fracture patients. The aim of our study was to review data from the National Hip Fracture Database for fractured neck of femur (FNOF) patients, comparing patient outcomes between MTCs and trauma units (TUs), and the national regions of the UK. METHODS: NHFD data from 2018 for all hospitals in England, Wales and NI was collected using the charts and dashboards available online. We recorded data for the following outcomes: time to surgery, acute hospital length of stay, overall hospital length of stay, discharge to original residence within 120 days, crude 30-day mortality and adjusted 30-day mortality. We conducted a one-way ANOVA test to calculate statistical differences for each outcome measure by MTC vs TU and then separately for the regions of the UK divided into England, Wales and Northern Ireland (NI). RESULTS: Data for 175 hospitals are included in this study; 22 of which were MTCs. The total number of operative cases were 65,848. 9668 of these occurred in MTC compared to 56,180 in TUs. This equates to an annual average of 439 per MTC and 367 per TU. Despite this, there was no statistically significant difference observed in all outcomes for MTC vs TU. Patients in NI waited longer for their surgery (60.3 h, p < 0.001), whilst patients in Wales had the longest overall hospital length of stay (31.6 days, p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in patients' crude 30-day mortality (p = 0.480) or adjusted 30-day mortality (p = 0.191). CONCLUSION: These findings are reassuring for MTCs in England. We found no evidence to suggest that FNOF patients are treated inferiorly, or have worse outcomes, at MTCs vs TUs. FNOF patients in NI waited longer for their surgery but this did not have any significant difference on 30-day mortality rates. The care of FNOF patients in NI may warrant further study.

Changes in the characteristics of trauma patients after the early COVID-19 outbreak: A retrospective study of a regional level 1 trauma center in Republic of Korea.

ABSTRACT: Gyeonggi-do (Gyeonggi province) has the second highest number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the Republic of Korea after Seoul, with approximately 25% of the COVID-19 patients as of January 2021. Our center is a level I trauma center located in south Gyeonggi-do, and we aimed to evaluate whether the characteristics of trauma patients changed after the COVID-19 pandemic.We retrospectively reviewed the trauma patients registered with the Korea Trauma Database of the Center from February 2019 to January 2021. The patients were dichotomized into pre-coronavirus disease (pre-COVID) and coronavirus disease (COVID) groups, and their trauma volumes, injury characteristics, intentionality, and outcomes were compared.A total of 2628 and 2636 patients were included in the pre-COVID and COVID groups, respectively. During the COVID-19 period, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and penetrating injury cases increased, and pedestrian traffic accidents, slips, and injury by machines decreased. The average daily number of patients in the COVID group was lower in March (5.6 ±â€Š2.6/day vs 7.2 ±â€Š2.4/day, P = .014) and higher in September (9.9 ±â€Š3.2/day vs 7.7 ±â€Š2.0/day, P = .003) compared to the pre-COVID group. The COVID group also had a higher ratio of direct admissions (67.5% vs 57.2%, P < .001), proportion of suicidal patients (4.1% vs 2.7%, P = .005), and injury severity scores (14 [9-22] vs 12 [4-22], P < .001) than the pre-COVID group. The overall mortality (4.7% vs 4.9%, P = .670) and intensive care unit length of stay (2 [0-3] days vs 2 [0-4] days, P = .153) was not different between the 2 groups.Although the total number of patients did not change, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the number of monthly admissions and the injury mechanisms changed. More severely injured patients were admitted directly to the trauma center.

Interhospital Variations in Resource Use Intensity for In-hospital Injury Deaths: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate interhospital variation in resource use for in-hospital injury deaths. BACKGROUND: Significant variation in resource use for end-of-life care has been observed in the US for chronic diseases. However, there is an important knowledge gap on end-of-life resource use for trauma patients. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of injury deaths following hospitalization in any of the 57 trauma centers in a Canadian trauma system (2013-2016). Resource use intensity was measured using activity-based costing (2016 $CAN) according to time of death (72 h, 3-14 d, ≥14 d). We used multilevel log-linear regression to model resource use and estimated interhospital variation using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: Our study population comprised 2044 injury deaths. Variation in resource use between hospitals was observed for all 3 time frames (ICC = 6.5%, 6.6%, and 5.9% for < 72 h, 3-14 d, and ≥14 d, respectively). Interhospital variation was stronger for allied health services (ICC = 18 to 26%), medical imaging (ICC = 4 to 10%), and the ICU (ICC = 5 to 6%) than other activity centers. We observed stronger interhospital variation for patients < 65 years of age (ICC = 11 to 34%) than those ≥65 (ICC = 5 to 6%) and for traumatic brain injury (ICC = 5 to 13%) than other injuries (ICC = 1 to 8%). CONCLUSIONS: We observed variation in resource use intensity for injury deaths across trauma centers. Strongest variation was observed for younger patients and those with traumatic brain injury. Results may reflect variation in level of care decisions and the incidence of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies.

Thrombelastography and transfusion patterns in severely injured pediatric trauma patients with blunt solid organ injuries.

BACKGROUND: Thrombelastography (TEG) has emerged as a useful tool to diagnose coagulopathy and guide blood product usage during trauma resuscitations. This study sought to evaluate the correlation between TEG-directed blood product administration in severely injured pediatric trauma patients with blunt solid organ injuries (BSOIs). METHODS: Patients (≤18 years) with severe BSOIs who presented as highest-level trauma activations at two pediatric trauma centers were included. Thrombelastography results were evaluated to determine indications for blood product administration and rates of TEG-directed resuscitation. Tetrachoric correlations and regression modeling were used to correlate TEG-directed resuscitation with clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Of 64 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 32.8% (21) had elevated R times and 23.4% (15) had shortened α angles. Maximum amplitude was shortened in 29.7% (19), and percent clot lysis 30 minutes after maximum amplitude that is >3% was seen in 17.0% (9). Thrombelastography-directed resuscitation of fresh frozen plasma was followed 54.7% of the time compared with 67.2% and 81.2% for platelets and cryoprecipitate, respectively. Thrombelastography-directed resuscitation with platelets (odds ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.93; p = 0.03) and/or cryoprecipitate (odds ratio, 0.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.42, p = 0.003) were associated with decreased hospital length of stay and mortality, respectively. CONCLUSION: Severely injured pediatric trauma patients with BSOIs were often coagulopathic upon presentation to the emergency department. Thrombelastography-directed resuscitation with platelets and/or cryoprecipitate was followed for the majority of patients and was associated with improved outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management, level III.

Rapid detection of platelet inhibition and dysfunction in traumatic brain injury: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Rapid platelet function testing is frequently used to determine platelet function in patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH). Accuracy and clinical significance of decreased platelet response detected by these tests is not well understood. We sought to determine whether VerifyNow and whole blood aggregometry (WBA) can detect poor platelet response and to elucidate its clinical significance for tICH patients. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients with isolated tICH between 2018 and 2020. Demographics, medical history, injury characteristics, and patient outcomes were recorded. Platelet function was determined by VerifyNow and WBA testing at the time of arrival to the trauma bay and 6 hours later. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients were enrolled, including 111 patients on no antiplatelet medication, 78 on aspirin, 6 on clopidogrel, and 26 on aspirin and clopidogrel. In the trauma bay, 29.7% and 67.7% of patients on no antiplatelet medication had poor platelet response on VerifyNow and WBA, respectively. Among patients on aspirin, 72.2% and 82.2% had platelet dysfunction on VerifyNow and WBA. Among patients on clopidogrel, 67.9% and 88.9% had platelet dysfunction on VerifyNow and WBA. Patients with nonresponsive platelets had similar in-hospital mortality (3 [3.0%] vs. 6 [6.3%], p = 0.324), tICH progression (26 [27.1%] vs. 24 [26.1%], p = 0.877), intensive care unit admission rates (34 [34.3%] vs. 38 [40.0%), p = 0.415), and length of stay (3 [interquartile range, 2-8] vs. 3.2 [interquartile range, 2-7], p = 0.818) to those with responsive platelets. Platelet transfusion did not improve platelet response or patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: Rapid platelet function testing detects a highly prevalent poor platelet response among patients with tICH, irrespective of antiplatelet medication use. VerifyNow correlated fairly with whole blood aggregometry among patients with tICH and platelet responsiveness detectable by these tests did not correlate with clinical outcomes. In addition, our results suggest that platelet transfusion may not improve clinical outcomes in patients with tICH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic tests, level II.

Examining Violence Against Women at a Regional Level 1 Trauma Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: There is a growing concern that certain public health restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could result in more violence against women (VAW). We sought to determine if the rates and types of VAW changed during the COVID-19 pandemic at our level 1 trauma center (L1TC). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of female patients who presented to our L1TC because of violence from 2019 through 2020. Patients were grouped into a pre-COVID or COVID period. The primary aim of this study was to compare rates of VAW between groups. Secondary aims sought to evaluate for any difference in traumatic mechanism between periods and to determine if a temporal relationship existed between COVID-19 and VAW rates. RESULTS: There was no difference in rates of VAW between the pre-COVID and COVID period (3.1% vs 3.6%, P = .6); however, rates of penetrating trauma were greater during the COVID period (38.2% vs 10.3%, P = .01). After controlling for patient age and race, the odds of penetrating trauma increased during the pandemic (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.6-28.5, P < .01). From February 2020 through October 2020, there was a direct relationship between rates of COVID-19 and VAW (r2 .78, P < .01). CONCLUSION: Rates of VAW were unchanged between the pre-COVID and COVID periods, yet the odds of penetrating VAW were 5 times greater during the pandemic. Moving forward, trauma surgeons must remain vigilant for signs of violence and ensure that support services are available during future crises.

Emergency general surgery transfer to lower acuity facility: The role of right-sizing care in emergency general surgery regionalization.

BACKGROUND: Regionalization of emergency general surgery (EGS) has primarily focused on expediting care of high acuity patients through interfacility transfers. In contrast, triaging low-risk patients to a nondesignated trauma facility has not been evaluated. This study evaluates a 16-month experience of a five-surgeon team triaging EGS patients at a tertiary care, Level I trauma center (TC) to an affiliated community hospital 1.3 miles away. METHODS: All EGS patients who presented to the Level I TC emergency department from January 2020 to April 2021 were analyzed. Patients were screened by EGS surgeons covering both facilities for transfer appropriateness including hemodynamics, resource need, and comorbidities. Patients were retrospectively evaluated for disposition, diagnosis, comorbidities, length of stay, surgical intervention, and 30-day mortality and readmission. RESULTS: Of 987 patients reviewed, 31.5% were transferred to the affiliated community hospital, 16.1% were discharged home from the emergency department, and 52.4% were admitted to the Level I TC. Common diagnoses were biliary disease (16.8%), bowel obstruction (15.7%), and appendicitis (14.3%). Compared with Level I TC admissions, Charlson Comorbidity Index was lower (1.89 vs. 4.45, p < 0.001) and length of stay was shorter (2.23 days vs. 5.49 days, p < 0.001) for transfers. Transfers had a higher rate of surgery (67.5% vs. 50.1%, p < 0.001) and lower readmission and mortality (8.4% vs. 15.3%, p = 0.004; 0.6% vs. 5.0%, p < 0.001). Reasons not to transfer were emergency evaluation, comorbidity burden, operating room availability, and established care. No transfers required transfer back to higher care (under-triage). Bed days saved at the Level I TC were 693 (591 inpatients). Total operating room minutes saved were 24,008 (16,919, between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm). CONCLUSION: Transfer of appropriate patients maintains high quality care and outcomes, while improving operating room and bed capacity and resource utilization at a tertiary care, Level I TC. Emergency general surgery regionalization should consider triage of both high-risk and low-risk patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective comparative cohort study, Level II.

Traumatic Injury Under COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Advisory: Experience of a New England Trauma Center.

BACKGROUND: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent widespread stay-at-home advisories throughout early 2020, hospitals have noticed a decrease in illnesses unrelated to COVID-19. However, the impact on traumatic injury is relatively unknown. This study aims to characterize patterns of trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic at a Level I Trauma Center. MATERIALS & METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of adult trauma patients from March to June, in the years 2018 through 2020. Primary outcome was the number of trauma activations (volume). Secondary outcomes included activation level, mechanism of injury, mortality rate, and length of stay, and other demographic background. Trauma patterns of the 2018 and 2019 periods were combined as historical control, and compared to patterns of the biweekly-matched period of 2020. RESULTS: A total of 2,187 patients were included in analysis (Pre-COVID n = 1,572; COVID n = 615). Results were significant for decreased trauma volume but longer length of stay during COVID cohort, and for an increased proportion of males. No significant difference was found for other demographic variables, trauma mechanisms, or severity. Trauma volume patterns mirrored COVID rates in the state. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a decline in trauma volume, other trauma patterns including severity and mechanism remained unchanged during the COVID-19 period. The decreased volume was not associated with a markedly lower clinical workload, change in team structure, or provider coverage re-distribution. Our data suggests that trauma volume and severity remained high enough during COVID-19 peak to necessitate full staffing, which may provide guidance in the event of a pandemic resurgence.

Systematic review of temporary intravascular shunt use in military and civilian extremity trauma.

BACKGROUND: The use of temporary intravascular shunts (TIVS) in the setting of military and civilian trauma has grown in recent years, predominantly because of the mounting evidence of improved limb outcomes. We sought to characterize the use and outcomes of TIVS in trauma through a systematic review of military and civilian literature. METHODS: The MEDLINE, EBSCO, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies on TIVS use in military and civilian trauma settings published between January 2000 and March 2021. Reports lacking systematic data collection along with those with insufficient TIVS descriptive and outcome data were excluded. Data regarding the characteristics and outcomes of TIVS were assessed and collective syntheses of military and civilian data performed. RESULTS: Twenty-one reports were included, 14 from civilian trauma centers or databases and 7 from military field data or databases (total of 1,380 shunts in 1,280 patients). Sixteen were retrospective cohort studies, and four were prospective. Five studies had an unshunted comparison group. Shunts were predominantly used in the lower extremity and most commonly for damage control indications. Dwell times were infrequently reported and were not consistently linked to shunt thrombosis or other complications. Anticoagulation during shunting was sparsely reported and inconsistently applied. Shunted limbs had higher injury severity than unshunted limbs but similar salvage rates. CONCLUSION: Temporary intravascular shunts are effective for expeditious restoration of perfusion in severely injured limbs and likely contribute to limb salvage. There is a paucity of comparative TIVS data in the literature and no consistently applied reporting standards, so controversies regarding TIVS use remain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic Review, level IV.

Platelet dysfunction in patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage: Do desmopressin and platelet therapy help or harm?

BACKGROUND: Pre-injury anti-platelet use has been associated with increased risk of progression of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (TICH) and worse outcomes. VerifyNow® assays assess platelet inhibition due to aspirin/clopidogrel. This study assesses the outcomes of patients with TICH and platelet dysfunction treated with desmopressin and/or platelets. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with mild TICH at a level 1 trauma center 1/1/2013-6/1/2016. Patients with documented platelet dysfunction who received desmopressin and/or platelets were compared to those who were untreated. Primary outcomes were progression of TICH and neurologic outcomes at discharge. RESULTS: Of 565 patients with a mild TICH, 200 patients had evidence of platelet dysfunction (a positive VerifyNow® assay). Patients had similar baseline demographics, injury characteristics, and rate of TICH progression; but patients who received desmopressin and/or platelets had worse Glasgow Outcomes Score at discharge. CONCLUSION: Treatment of patients with mild TICH and platelet dysfunction with desmopressin and/or platelets did not affect TICH progression but correlated with worse neurologic status at discharge.

Charges, length of stay, and complication associations with trauma center ownership in adult patients with mild to moderate trauma.

BACKGROUND: For-profit (FP) trauma centers (TCs) charge more for trauma care than not-for-profit (NFP) centers. We sought to determine charges, length of stay (LOS), and complications associations with TC ownership status (FP, NFP, and government) for three diagnoses among patients with overall low injury severity. METHODS: Adult patients treated at TCs with an International Classification of Diseases-based injury severity score (ICISS) survival probability ≥ 0.85 were identified. Only those who with a principal diagnosis of femur, tibial or rib fractures were included. RESULTS: Total charges were significantly higher at FP centers than NFP and lower at government centers (89.6% and -12.8%, respectively). FP TCs had a 12.5% longer LOS and government TCs had a 20.4% longer LOS than NFP TCs. CONCLUSION: Patients presenting to FP TCs with mild/moderate femur, tibial, or rib fractures experienced higher charges and increased LOS compared with government or NFP centers. There was no difference in overall complication rates.

Respiratory events after intensive care unit discharge in trauma patients: Epidemiology, outcomes, and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory complications are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. The care transition from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the acute care ward is a vulnerable time for injured patients. There is a lack of knowledge about the epidemiology of respiratory events and their outcomes during this transition. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study in a single Level I trauma center of injured patients 18 years and older initially admitted to the ICU from 2015 to 2019 who survived initial transfer to the acute care ward. The primary outcome was occurrence of a respiratory event, defined as escalation in oxygen therapy beyond nasal cannula or facemask for three or more consecutive hours. Secondary outcomes included unplanned intubation for a primary pulmonary cause, adjudicated via manual chart review, as well as in-hospital mortality and length of stay. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine patient characteristics associated with posttransfer respiratory events. RESULTS: There were 6,561 patients that met the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 52.3 years and median Injury Severity Score of 18 (interquartile range, 13-26). Two hundred and sixty-two patients (4.0%) experienced a respiratory event. Respiratory events occurred early after transfer (median, 2 days, interquartile range, 1-5 days), and were associated with high mortality (16% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.001), and ICU readmission rates (52.6% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.001). Increasing age, male sex, severe chest injury, and comorbidities, including preexisting alcohol use disorder, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were associated with increased odds of a respiratory event. Fifty-eight patients experienced an unplanned intubation for a primary pulmonary cause, which was associated with an in-hospital mortality of 39.7%. CONCLUSION: Respiratory events after transfer to the acute care ward occur close to the time of transfer and are associated with high mortality. Interventions targeted at this critical time are warranted to improve patient outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological study, level III.

Prolonged Prehospital Time Is a Risk Factor for Pneumonia in Trauma (the PRE-TRIP Study): A Retrospective Analysis of the United States National Trauma Data Bank.

BACKGROUND: Although multiple risk factors for development of pneumonia in patients with trauma sustained in a motor vehicle accident have been studied, the effect of prehospital time on pneumonia incidence post-trauma is unknown. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is prolonged prehospital time an independent risk factor for pneumonia? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected clinical data from 806,012 motor vehicle accident trauma incidents from the roughly 750 trauma hospitals contributing data to the National Trauma Data Bank between 2010 and 2016. RESULTS: Prehospital time was independently associated with development of pneumonia post-motor vehicle trauma (P < .001). This association was primarily driven by patients with low Glasgow Coma Scale scores. Post-trauma pneumonia was uncommon (1.5% incidence) but was associated with a significant increase in mortality (P < .001, 4.3% mortality without pneumonia vs 12.1% mortality with pneumonia). Other pneumonia risk factors included age, sex, race, primary payor, trauma center teaching status, bed size, geographic region, intoxication, comorbid lung disease, steroid use, lower Glasgow Coma Scale score, higher Injury Severity Scale score, blood product transfusion, chest trauma, and respiratory burns. INTERPRETATION: Increased prehospital time is an independent risk factor for development of pneumonia and increased mortality in patients with trauma caused by a motor vehicle accident. Although prehospital time is often not modifiable, its recognition as a pneumonia risk factor is important, because prolonged prehospital time may need to be considered in subsequent decision-making.