Situation analysis of trauma based on Arizona trauma center standards in university hospitals of Tehran, Iran

Objective: Injuries are common and important problem in Tehran, capital of Iran. Although therapeutic centers are not essentially established following the constructional principles of developed countries, the present opportunities and equipments have to be used properly. We should recognize and reduce the deficits based on the global standards.This study deliberates the trauma resources and capacities in university hospitals of Tehran based on Arizona trauma center standards, which are suitable for the assessment of trauma centers.Methods: Forty-one university hospitals in Tehran were evaluated for their conformity with "Arizona trauma center standards" in 2008. A structured interview was arranged with the "Educational Supervisor" of all hospitals regarding their institutional organization, departments, clini-cal capabilities, clinical qualifications, facilities and resources, rehabilitation services, performance improvement, continuing education, prevention, research and additional requirements for pediatric trauma patients. Relative frequencies and percentages were calculated and Student's t test was used to compare the mean values.Results: Forty-one hospitals had the average of 77.7 (50.7%) standards from 153 Arizona trauma center standards and these standards were present in 97.5 out of 153 (63.7%) in 17 general hospitals. Based on the subgroups of the standards, 64.8% items of hospital resources and capabilities were considered as a subgroup with the maximum criteria, and 17.7% items of research section as another subgroup with the minimum standards.Conclusions: On the basis of our findings, no hospital meet all the Arizona trauma center standards completely. The hospitals as trauma centers at different levels must be promoted to manage trauma patients desirably.     

Measuring trauma outcomes in India: an analysis based on TRISS methodology in a Mumbai university hospital

BACKGROUND: In this prospective study, the TRISS methodology is used to compare trauma care at a university hospital (Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General (LTMG) Hospital) in Mumbai, India, with the standards reported in the Major Trauma Outcome Study (MTOS). METHODS: Between 1 August 2001 and 31 May 2002, 1074 severely injured patients were included in the study. Survival analysis was completed for 98.3% of the patients. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were men (84%) and the average age was 31 years. 90.4% were blunt injuries, with road traffic crashes (39.2%) being the most common cause. The predicted mortality was 10.89% and the observed mortality was 21.26%. The mean Revised Trauma Score (RTS) was 6.61 +/- 1.65 and the mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 16.7 +/- 10.67. The average probability of survival (Ps) was 89.14. The M and Z statistics were 0.84 and -14.1593, respectively. CONCLUSION: The injured in India were found to be older, the injuries more severe and with poorer outcomes, than in the MTOS study.     

Incidence and pattern of traumatic spine injury in a single level I trauma center of southern Iran

PurposeSpine injury is one of the leading causes of death and mortality worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, pattern and outcome of trauma patients with spine injury referred to the largest trauma center in southern Iran during the last 3 years.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study conducted between March 2018 and June 2021 in the largest trauma center in the southern Iran. The data collection form included the age, sex, injury location (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar), cause of injury (traffic accidents, falls, and assaults), length of hospital stay, injured segment of spine injury, severity of injury, and outcome. Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS software version 24.ResultsTotally 776 cases of spine injury were identified. The spine injury rate was 17.0%, and the mortality rate was 15.5%. Cervical spine injury (20.4%) more often occulted in motorcycle accident, and thoracic spine injury (20.1%) occulted in falls. The highest and lowest rates of spine injurys were related to lumbar spine injury (30.2%) and cervical spine injury (21.5%), respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between the mechanism of injury and the location of spine injury (p < 0.001). And patients with lumbar spine injury had the highest mortality rate (16.7%). Injury severity score (OR = 1.041, p < 0.001) and length of stay (OR = 1.018, p < 0.001) were strong predictors of mortality in trauma patients with spine injury.ConclusionThe results of the study showed that the incidence of traumatic spine injury rate was approximately 17.0% in southern of Iran. Road traffic injury and falls are the common mechanism of injury to spine. It is important to improve the safety of roads, and passengers, as well as work environment, and improve the quality of cars. Also, paying attention to the pattern of spine injury may assist to prevent the missing diagnosis of spine injury in multiple trauma patients.     

Finnish Trauma Audit 2004: current state of trauma management in Finnish hospitals

There is great variation in the organisation of trauma care in European countries. The state of trauma care in Finnish hospitals has not been appropriately reviewed in the past. The aim of the present study conducted by the Finnish Trauma Association (FTA) was to assess the number of Finnish hospitals admitting severe trauma patients, and to evaluate the organisation and training of trauma care in those hospitals. In 2004, a telephone survey to all the Finnish hospitals was conducted, and information on the number of severe trauma patients treated per month, the organisation of acute trauma care, and the existence of multidisciplinary trauma care training was collected. Thirty-six Finnish hospitals admitted trauma patients. The range of estimated number of severely injured trauma patients treated in individual hospitals per month varied from 0.5 to 12, resulting in an estimated number of 1000-1300 patients with severe trauma treated in Finland every year (19-25/100.000 inhabitants). About 20% of the hospitals had a trauma team, and 25% had a systematic trauma education program. Only one hospital had established multidisciplinary and systematic trauma team training. The case load of severe trauma patients is low in most Finnish hospitals making it difficult to obtain and maintain sufficient experience. Too many hospitals admit too few patients, and only a few hospitals have been working on updating their trauma management protocols and education. There is an obvious need for leadership, discussion, legislation and initiatives by the professional organisations and the government to establish a modern trauma system in Finland.     

Use of laparoscopy in trauma at a level II trauma center

Background and Objectives:

Enthusiasm for the use of laparoscopy in trauma has not rivaled that for general surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with laparoscopy at a level II trauma center.

Methods:

A retrospective review of all trauma patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic laparoscopy was performed from January 2004 to July 2010.

Results:

Laparoscopy was performed in 16 patients during the study period. The average age was 35 years. Injuries included left diaphragm in 4 patients, mesenteric injury in 2, and vaginal laceration, liver laceration, small bowel injury, renal laceration, urethral/pelvic, and colon injury in 1 patient each. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in 11 patients (69%) with 3 patients requiring conversion to an open procedure. Successful therapeutic laparoscopy was performed in 5 patients for repair of isolated diaphragm injuries (2), a small bowel injury, a colon injury, and placement of a suprapubic bladder catheter. Average length of stay was 5.6 days (range, 0 to 23), and 75% of patients were discharged home. Morbidity rate was 13% with no mortalities or missed injuries.

Conclusions:

Laparoscopy is a seldom-used modality at our trauma center; however, it may play a role in a select subset of patients.     

Improving outcomes in a regional trauma system: impact of a level III trauma center

BACKGROUND: Trauma systems decrease morbidity and mortality of injured populations, and each component contributes to the final outcome. This study evaluated the association between a referring hospital's trauma designation and the survival and resource utilization of patients transferred to a level I trauma center. METHODS: Data from the Registry of the American College of Surgeons on patients transferred to a level I trauma center during a 7-year period were subdivided into 3 categories: group 1 = level III-designated trauma center; group 2 = potential level III trauma centers; and group 3 = other transferring hospitals. Trauma and Injury Severity Score methodology was used to provide a probability estimate of survival adjusted for the effect related to injury severity, physiologic host factors, and age. A W statistic was calculated for each type of referring hospital so that comparisons between observed survival and predicted survival could be measured. Differences in W, length of stay, intensive care unit days, and ventilator days were examined using general linear models. RESULTS: Patients transferred to a level I from a level III trauma center (group 1) were more seriously injured (P < .0001) and had improved survival (P < .0018) compared with those transferred from nondesignated hospitals (groups 2 and 3). Patients transferred from large nondesignated hospitals (group 2) had outcomes similar to patients transferred from all other hospitals (group 3). Level I hospital resource utilization did not show significant differences based on referring hospital type. COMMENTS: Outcomes of patients in a trauma system are associated with trauma-center designation of the referring hospitals.     

Hospital management of abdominal trauma in Tehran, Iran: a review of 228 patients

Objective: Today, trauma is a major public health problem in some countries. Abdominal trauma is the source of significant mortality and morbidity with both blunt and penetrating injuries. We performed an epidemiological study of abdominal trauma (AT) in Tehran, Iran. We used all our sources to describe the epidemiology and outcome of patients with AT.Methods: This study was done in Tehran. The study population included trauma patients admitted to the emergency department of six general hospitals in Tehran during one year. The data were collected through a questionnaire that was completed by a trained physician at the trauma center. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software (version 11.5 for Windows). The statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-square and P＜0.05 was accepted as being statistically significant.Results: Two hundred and twenty-eight (2.8%) out of 8 000 patients were referred to the above mentioned centers with abdominal trauma. One hundred and twenty-five (54.9%)of the patients were in their 2nd and 3rd decades of life and 189 (83%) of our patients were male. Road traffic accidents (RTA) were the leading cause of AT with 119 (52.2%) patients. Spleen was the commonly injured organ with 51 cases. Following the analysis of injury severity, 159 (69.7%) patients had mild injuries (ISS＜16) and 69 (30.3%) patients had severe injuries (ISS= 16). The overall mortality rate was 46 (20.2%).Conclusions: Blunt abdominal trauma is more common than penetrating abdominal trauma. Road traffic accidents and stab wound are the most common causes of blunt and penetrating trauma, respectively. Spleen is the most commonly injured organ in these patients. The mortality rate is higher in blunt trauma than penetrating one.     

Hospital management of abdominal trauma in Tehran, Iran: a review of 228 patients

Objective: Today, trauma is a major public health problem in some countries. Abdominal trauma is the source of significant mortality and morbidity with both blunt and penetrating injuries. We performed an epidemiological study of abdominal trauma (AT) in Tehran, Iran. We used all our sources to describe the epidemiology and outcome of patients with AT.Methods: This study was done in Tehran. The study population included trauma patients admitted to the emergency department of six general hospitals in Tehran during one year. The data were collected through a questionnaire that was completed by a trained physician at the trauma center. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software (version 11.5 for Windows). The statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-square and P＜0.05 was accepted as being statistically significant.Results: Two hundred and twenty-eight (2.8%) out of 8 000 patients were referred to the above mentioned centers with abdominal trauma. One hundred and twenty-five (54.9%)of the patients were in their 2nd and 3rd decades of life and 189 (83%) of our patients were male. Road traffic accidents (RTA) were the leading cause of AT with 119 (52.2%) patients. Spleen was the commonly injured organ with 51 cases. Following the analysis of injury severity, 159 (69.7%) patients had mild injuries (ISS＜16) and 69 (30.3%) patients had severe injuries (ISS= 16). The overall mortality rate was 46 (20.2%).Conclusions: Blunt abdominal trauma is more common than penetrating abdominal trauma. Road traffic accidents and stab wound are the most common causes of blunt and penetrating trauma, respectively. Spleen is the most commonly injured organ in these patients. The mortality rate is higher in blunt trauma than penetrating one.     

Preventable trauma death in Tehran: an estimate of trauma care quality in teaching hospitals

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was estimate the number of preventable trauma deaths in teaching hospitals in Tehran. METHODS: We evaluated the complete prehospital, hospital, and postmortem data of 70 trauma patients who had died during a 1-year period in two of the largest university hospitals in Tehran with a multidisciplinary panel of experts. RESULTS: Panel members identified 26% of all trauma deaths as preventable deaths. From 31 non-central nervous system-related deaths, 17 and 6 cases were identified as surely preventable and probably preventable, respectively. In central nervous system-related deaths, 5% of the deaths overall (2 of 38 cases) were identified as surely preventable or probably preventable. Sixty-four cases of medical errors were identified in 31 trauma deaths and 80% of these errors were directly related to the death of the patients. CONCLUSION: The high preventable trauma death rate in our teaching hospitals indicates that a relatively significant percentage of trauma fatalities could have been prevented by improving prehospital and in-hospital trauma care.     

Epidemiology of livestock-related injuries in a major trauma center in Kashan, Iran

Objective:Livestock-related injuries are one of the important factors causing morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to hospital.Treatment of these patients is still a major problem in health car...     

Prevalence of Spinal Cord Injury in Tehran,Iran

Abstract

Background/Objective: To determine the prevalence of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in Tehran, Iran.

Methods: A population-based study was performed. In a random cluster sampling, 100 addresses were selected as the starting point of the survey for each cluster consisting of 25 households. To expand the geographic dimension of each cluster, the interviewers skipped 3 of 4 houses in gathering data for each study unit. Each person with traumatic SCI was evaluated initially by a nurse and then by a neurosurgeon by physical examination and spinal imaging at the hospital or at home.

Results: Ninety-seven percent of all surveyed agreed to participate in the study (2,425 households, or 9,006 persons). Four cases of SCI were identified. The point prevalence of SCI was 4.4 [95% CI = 1.2-11.4] per 10,000 people. Over the 5-year period from January 2003 through January 2008, the reported incidence rate of SCI was 2.2 (95% Cl = 0.27-8.00) per 10,000 people.

Conclusions: In this, the first published population-based study from Iran, the prevalence of traumatic SCI in Tehran ranged from 1.2 to 11.4 per 10,000 people. More research is required to determine the patterns and causes of SCI. Development of a nationwide SCI registry or surveillance system is fundamental to an understanding of the epidemiology, and hence the prevention, of this costly health problem.     

A study of mortality risk factors among trauma referrals to trauma center, Shiraz, Iran, 2017

Purpose: Trauma is well known as one of the main causes of death and disability throughout the world. Identifying the risk factors for mortality in trauma patients can significantly improve the quality of care and patient outcomes, as well as reducing mortality rates. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, systematic randomization was used to select 849 patients referred to the main trauma center of south of Iran during a period of six months (February 2017-July 2017); the patients’ case files were evaluated in terms of demographic information, pre- and post-accident conditions, clinical conditions at the time of admission and finally, accident outcomes. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the role of factors affecting mortality among subjects. Results: Among subjects, 60.4% were in the age-group of 15-39 years. There was a 10.4% mortality rate among patients and motor-vehicle accidents were the most common mechanism of injury (66.7%). Aging led to increased risk of fatality in this study. For each unit increase in Glasgow coma scale (GCS), risk of death decreased by about 40% (odds ratio (OR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59-0.67). For each unit increase in injury severe score (ISS), risk of death increased by 10% (OR = 1.11%, 95% CI: 1.08-1.14) and for each unit increase in trauma revised injury severity score (TRISS), there was 18% decrease in the risk of fatality (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71-0.88). Conclusion: The most common cause of trauma and the most common cause of death from trauma was traffic accidents. It was also found that an increase in the ISS index increases the risk of death in trauma patients, but the increase in GCS, revised trauma score (RTS) and TRISS indices reduces the risk of death in trauma patients. The TRISS indicator is better predictor of traumatic death than other indicators.     

Prevalence of Spinal Cord Injury in Tehran,Iran

Background/Objective:

To determine the prevalence of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in Tehran, Iran.

Methods:

A population-based study was performed. In a random cluster sampling, 100 addresses were selected as the starting point of the survey for each cluster consisting of 25 households. To expand the geographic dimension of each cluster, the interviewers skipped 3 of 4 houses in gathering data for each study unit. Each person with traumatic SCI was evaluated initially by a nurse and then by a neurosurgeon by physical examination and spinal imaging at the hospital or at home.

Results:

Ninety-seven percent of all surveyed agreed to participate in the study (2,425 households, or 9,006 persons). Four cases of SCI were identified. The point prevalence of SCI was 4.4 [95% CI  =  1.2–11.4] per 10,000 people. Over the 5-year period from January 2003 through January 2008, the reported incidence rate of SCI was 2.2 (95% CI  =  0.27–8.00) per 10,000 people.

Conclusions:

In this, the first published population-based study from Iran, the prevalence of traumatic SCI in Tehran ranged from 1.2 to 11.4 per 10,000 people. More research is required to determine the patterns and causes of SCI. Development of a nationwide SCI registry or surveillance system is fundamental to an understanding of the epidemiology, and hence the prevention, of this costly health problem.     

Extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (EFAST) in the diagnosis of pneumothorax: Experience at a community based level I trauma center

Introduction

Early identification of pneumothorax is crucial to reduce the mortality in critically injured patients. The objective of our study is to investigate the utility of surgeon performed extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (EFAST) in the diagnosis of pneumothorax.

Methods

We prospectively analysed 204 trauma patients in our level I trauma center over a period of 12 (06/2007-05/2008) months in whom EFAST was performed. The patients’ demographics, type of injury, clinical examination findings (decreased air entry), CXR, EFAST and CT scan findings were entered into the data base. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were calculated.

Results

Of 204 patients (mean age - 43.01 ± 19.5 years, sex - male 152, female 52) 21 (10.3%) patients had pneumothorax. Of 21 patients who had pneumothorax 12 were due to blunt trauma and 9 were due to penetrating trauma. The diagnosis of pneumothorax in 204 patients demonstrated the following: clinical examination was positive in 17 patients (true positive in 13/21, 62%; 4 were false positive and 8 were false negative), CXR was positive in 16 (true positive in 15/19, 79%; 1 false positive, 4 missed and 2 CXR not performed before chest tube) patients and EFAST was positive in 21 patients (20 were true positive [95.2%], 1 false positive and 1 false negative). In diagnosing pneumothorax EFAST has significantly higher sensitivity compared to the CXR (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Surgeon performed trauma room extended FAST is simple and has higher sensitivity compared to the chest X-ray and clinical examination in detecting pneumothorax.     

The effect of trauma center verification level on traumatic brain injury outcome after implementation of the Orange Book

BackgroundPrevious literature demonstrates mortality discrepancies at Level II vs. Level I centers in patients with isolated Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Our hypothesis is that the implementation of the 2014 version of the resources manual (“the Orange Book”) is associated with an elimination of this outcome disparity.MethodsUtilizing the Trauma Quality Program Participant Use File for 2017, we compared TBI outcomes at ACS Level I vs. Level II centers.Results39,764 records met inclusion criteria where 25,382 (63.8%) were admitted to a Level I center. Level I patients were younger (56.4 vs.59.1 years, p < 0.001) and less likely to have been injured in a single level fall (39.5%vs.45.5%, p < 0.001). The incidence of severe TBI (11.3%vs.10.3%, p < 0.001) was more common. Adjusted mortality at a Level II vs. Level I center were similar [7.8% vs. 8.4%, 0.669].ConclusionsImplementation of 2014 version of the ACS resources manual is associated with improved TBI associated mortality in ACS Level II centers relative to their Level I counterparts.     

The epidemiology of inpatient pediatric trauma in United States hospitals 2000 to 2011

Background

This study provides important updates to the epidemiology of pediatric trauma in the United States.

Trends in 1029 trauma deaths at a level 1 trauma center: Impact of a bleeding control bundle of care

BackgroundOver the last decade the age of trauma patients and injury mortality has increased. At the same time, many centers have implemented multiple interventions focused on improved hemorrhage control, effectively resulting in a bleeding control bundle of care. The objective of our study was to analyze the temporal distribution of trauma-related deaths, the factors that characterize that distribution and how those factors have changed over time at our urban level 1 trauma center.MethodsRecords at an urban Level 1 trauma center were reviewed. Two time periods (2005–2006 and 2012–2013) were included in the analysis. Mortality rates were directly adjusted for age, gender and mechanism of injury. The Mann-Whitney and chi square tests were used to compare variables between periods, with significance set at 0.05.Results7080 patients (498 deaths) were examined in 2005–2006, while 8767 patients (531 deaths) were reviewed in 2012–2013. The median age increased 6 years, with a similar increase in those who died. In patients that died, no differences by gender, race or ethnicity were observed. Fall-related deaths are now the leading cause of death. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hemorrhage accounted for >91% of all deaths. TBI (61%) and multiple organ failure or sepsis (6.2%) deaths were unchanged, while deaths associated with hemorrhage decreased from 36% to 25% (p < 0.01). Across time periods, 26% of all deaths occurred within one hour of hospital arrival, while 59% occurred within 24 h. Unadjusted mortality dropped from 7.0% to 6.1 (p = 0.01) and in-hospital mortality dropped from 6.0% to 5.0% (p < 0.01). Adjusted mortality dropped 24% from 7.6% (95% CI: 6.9–8.2) to 5.8% (95% CI: 5.3–6.3) and in-hospital mortality decreased 30% from 6.6% (95% CI: 6.0–7.2) to 4.7 (95% CI: 4.2–5.1).ConclusionsOver the same time frame of this study, increases in trauma death across the globe have been reported. This single-site study demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality, attributable to decreased hemorrhagic death. It is possible that efforts focused on hemorrhage control interventions (a bleeding control bundle) resulted in this reduction. These changing factors provide guidance on future prevention and intervention efforts.     

显微联合手术治疗复杂性眼外伤的临床分析

目的 探讨显微联合手术治疗复杂性眼外伤的方法及临床疗效。方法 应用显微手术包括开放创口修补、前房成形、白内障摘除、玻璃体切除、眼内异物摘除及视网膜复位，治疗复杂性眼外伤1429眼。结果 术后矫正视力提高者1249眼(87．4％)，视力无提高者180眼(12．6％)。三联及三联以上手术803眼(56．2％)，其中术中视网膜脱离复位率100％，眼内异物摘除成功率100％。结论 采用显微联合手术治疗复杂性眼外伤能同时处理多个合并症，减少患者多次手术痛苦，同时可提高临床疗效。     

Education and training of the future trauma surgeon in acute care surgery: trauma, critical care, and emergency surgery

BACKGROUND: Trauma surgery as a specialty in the United States is at a crossroads. Currently, less than 100 residents per year pursue additional specialty training in trauma and surgical critical care. Many forces have converged to place serious challenges and obstacles to the training of future trauma surgeons. In order for the field to flourish, the training of future trauma surgeons must be modified to compensate for these changes. DATA SOURCES: Recent medical literature regarding the training of trauma surgeons and report of the Future of Trauma Surgery/Trauma Specialization Committee of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. CONCLUSIONS: The new post-graduate trauma training fellowship of the future should be built on a foundation of general surgery. The goal of this program will be to train a surgeon with broad expertise in trauma, critical care, and emergency general surgery. This new emphasis on non-trauma emergency surgery required an image change and thus a new name; Acute Care Surgery: Trauma, Critical Care, and Emergency Surgery.