Emergency department deaths

This study reviews 186 deaths resulting from trauma in a 2-year period in the Charity Hospital of Louisiana at New Orleans Accident Room in order to evaluate problems in prehospital and hospital resuscitative care. All subjects underwent autopsy, and only six were found to have injuries compatible with survival. Three of these were late arrivals (by transfer or self-imposed delay) and died of protracted hemorrhage. Only three deaths occurring in the Emergency Department itself were found to have been potentially preventable. The important factors in maximizing survival of trauma patients remain rapid transport; immediate, appropriate, rapid evaluation; and quick diagnosis, resuscitation, and definitive therapy. These require a well-trained emergency medical ambulance service delivering patients quickly to a hospital designed to handle trauma patients. One person, preferably a general surgeon with trauma experience, should supervise and monitor the patient continually until the resuscitation phase and all diagnostic tests are completed and definitive therapy is initiated.