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Citation
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Sathya C, Alali AS, Wales PW, Scales DC, Karanicolas PJ, Burd RS, Nance ML, Xiong W, Nathens AB. JAMA Surg. 2015; 150(9): 874-881. |
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Affiliation
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Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada2Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada5Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sc. |
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Abstract
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IMPORTANCE: Trauma is the leading cause of death among US children. Whether pediatric trauma centers (PTCs), mixed trauma centers (MTCs), or adult trauma centers (ATCs) offer a survival benefit compared with one another when treating injured children is controversial. Ascertaining the optimal care environment will better inform quality improvement initiatives and accreditation standards.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between type of trauma center (PTC, MTC, or ATC) and in-hospital mortality among young children (5 years and younger), older children (aged 6-11 years), and adolescents (aged 12-18 years). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this retrospective cohort study, injured children aged 18 years or younger who were hospitalized in the United States from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2013, were observed for the duration of their admission until discharge or death. We included patients with an Abbreviated Injury Score of 2 or greater in at least 1 body region. Random-intercept multilevel regression was used to evaluate the association between center type and in-hospital mortality after adjusting for confounders. Stratified analyses in young children, older children, and adolescents were performed. We conducted secondary analyses limited to patients with severe injuries (Injury Severity Score DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: ≥25). Both analyses were performed between January 1 and August 31, 2014. Data were derived from 252 US level I and II trauma centers voluntarily participating in the American College of Surgeons adult or pediatric Trauma Quality Improvement Program. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE: In-hospital mortality.
RESULTS: We identified 175 RESULTS: 585 injured children. Crude mortality rates were 2.3% for children treated at ATCs, 1.8% for children treated at MTCs, and 0.6% for children treated at PTCs. After adjustment, children had higher odds of dying when treated at ATCs (odds ratio [OR], 1.57; 95% CI, 1.15-2.14) and MTCs (OR, 1.45; 95% RESULTS: CI, 1.05-2.01) compared with those treated at PTCs. In stratified analyses, young children had higher odds of death when treated at ATCs vs PTCs (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.05-3.40), but there was no association between center type and mortality among older children (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.65-2.11) and adole RESULTS: scents (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.82-1.85).
RESULTS were similar in analyses of severely injured children: those treated at ATCs (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.25-2.44) and MTCs (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.15-2.29) had higher odds of death when compared with those treated at PTCs.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Injured children treated at ATCs and MTCs had higher in-hospital mortality compared with those treated at PTCs. This association was most evident in younger children and remained significant in severely injured children. Quality improvement initiatives geared toward ATCs and MTCs are required to provide optimal care to injured children.
Language: en |