Citation

Jambhekar A, Lindborg R, Chan V, Laskey D, Rucinski J, Fahoum B. Trauma (Sage) 2018; 20(1): 52-57.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1460408617698510

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

IntroductionEmergency department (ED) discharge is appropriate for patients with minor traumatic injuries. The objective of this study is to determine if use of a trauma checklist increases identification of patients with minor trauma who are safe for discharge.

METHODSData were collected on trauma patients evaluated between 1 April 2015 and 31 January 2016 in two groups before and after introduction of a trauma checklist. The two groups were compared using age, mechanism of injury, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) using unpaired Student t-tests and Fisher?s exact test.

RESULTSA total of 841 trauma patients were included; 197 prior to the introduction of the checklist and 644 afterwards. Following the implementation of the trauma checklist, significantly more patients were discharged from the ED (18.2% vs. 7.6%, p?=?0.0004). Discharged patients in the pre- and post-checklist groups had similar ISS (1.93?±?1.49 vs. 1.87?±?1.90, p?=?0.90) and were of similar age (35.27?±?11.06 vs. 41.99 years?±?18.20, p?=?0.17). There was no increase in ?bounce-backs? to the ED in the post checklist group despite a significantly higher rate of discharge.

CONCLUSIONUse of a trauma checklist allows for better identification of those trauma patients who are safe to discharge from the ED and widespread use may decrease healthcare costs.

Language: en