Abstract
Background: Patient outcomes are presumed to vary during early implementation of a trauma system because of fluctuations in processes of care. This study estimates risk-adjusted survival for injured geriatric patients during implementation of the Washington State trauma system. Methods: A presystem (1988-1992) versus early construction phase (1993-1995) retrospective cohort analysis of hospitalized geriatric injured patients in Washington State was conducted. Hospital data were cross-linked to death certificates, providing patient follow-up. A Cox proportional hazards model assessed survival to 60 days from hospital admission. Results: A total of 77,136 geriatric patients were assessed. No difference in survival was observed (before vs. after) for all geriatric injured patients. However, among severely injured patients (Injury Severity Score > 15), survival during the implementation phase increased by 5.1% compared with patients admitted during the presystem years (p = 0.03). Conclusion: This study demonstrates improved survival for seriously injured geriatric trauma patients during construction of the Washington State trauma system.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1111-1116 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Trauma - Injury, Infection and Critical Care |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2001 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Geriatric
- Injury
- Survival analysis
- Trauma systems
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine