Destination Healthcare Facility of Shocked Trauma Patients in Scotland: Analysis of Transfusion and Surgical Capability of Receiving Hospitals

Abstract

Aims: Haemorrhage is a leading cause of death from trauma. Management requires a combination of haemorrhage control and resuscitation which may incur significant surgical and transfusion utilisation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the resource provision of the destination hospital of Scottish trauma patients exhibiting evidence of pre-hospital shock. Methods: Patients who sustained a traumatic injury between November 2008 and October 2010 were retrospectively identified from the Scottish Ambulance Service electronic patients record system. Patients with a systolic blood pressure less than 110 mmHg or if missing, a heart rate greater than 120 bpm, were considered in shock. The level of the destination healthcare facility was classified in terms of surgical and transfusion capability. Patients with and without shock were compared. Results: There were 135 004 patients identified, 133 651 (99.0%) of whom had sustained blunt trauma, 68 411 (50.7%) were male and the median (IQR) age was 59 (46). There were 6721 (5.0%) patients with shock, with a similar age and gender distribution to non-shocked patients. Only 1332 (19.8%) of shocked patients were taken to facilities with full surgical capability, 5137 (76.4%) to hospitals with limited (general and orthopaedic surgery only) and 252 (3.7%) to hospitals with no surgical services. In terms of transfusion capability, 5556 (82.7%) shocked patients were admitted to facilities with full capability and 1165 (17.3%) to a hospital with minimal or no capability. Conclusions: The majority of Scottish trauma patients are transported to a hospital with full transfusion capability, although the majority lack surgical sub-specialty representation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA614621

Entities

People

  • Amy N. Apodaca
  • Christopher M. Peach
  • Gerry Egan
  • Henry G. Watson
  • Jan O. Jansen
  • Jonathan Morrison

Organizations

  • United States Army Institute of Surgical Research

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Blood
  • Blood Transfusions
  • Brain Injuries
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Heart Rate
  • Hemorrhage
  • Hemorrhagic Shock
  • Hospitals
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Scotland
  • United States
  • Urban Areas

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Medical or Health Care Field.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics