A Multidisciplinary Clinical Pathway Decreases Rib Fracture-Associated Infectious Morbidity and Mortality in High-Risk Trauma Patients
Abstract
Background: We initiated a multidisciplinary clinical pathway targeting patients greater than 45 years of age with more than 4 rib fractures. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of this pathway on infectious morbidity and mortality. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study. Data evaluated included patient demographics, injury characteristics, pain management details, lengths of stay, morbidity, and mortality. Univariate and multi-variate analyses were performed using a significance level of P less than .05. Results: When adjusting for age, injury severity score, and number of rib fractures, the clinical pathway was associated with decreased intensive care unit length of stay by 2.4 days (95% confidence interval [CI] -4.3, -0.52 days, P = .01) hospital length of stay by 3.7 days (95% CI -7.1, -0.42 days, P = .02), pneumonias (odds ratio [OR] 0.12, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.34, P less than .001), and mortality (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.03, P = .06). Conclusions: Implementation of a rib fracture multidisciplinary clinical pathway decreased mechanical ventilator-dependent days, lengths of stay, infectious morbidity, and mortality.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA627948
Entities
People
- Bobbie K. Brasseaux
- Christine S. Cocanour
- Ernest A. Gonzalez
- Gary A. Vercruysse
- John B Holcomb
- Lillian S. Kao
- Marjorie H. Lygas
- Michael M. Mcnally
- Rosemary A. Kozar
- S. R. Todd
Organizations
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research