@article{ref1,
title="Examining the relationship between preinjury health and injury-related factors to discharge location and risk for injury-associated complications in patients after blunt thoracic trauma: a pilot study",
journal="Journal of trauma nursing",
year="2015",
author="Senn-Reeves, Julia N. and Jenkins, Donald H.",
volume="22",
number="3",
pages="136-147",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To determine whether preinjury health and injury-related factors were associated with posthospitalization discharge location and injury-associated complications for patients with blunt thoracic trauma. <br><br>METHODS: A retrospective analysis using registry data from a level 1 trauma center was conducted. A random sample of 200 patients admitted between 2009 and 2012 was included. Relationships between variables were assessed through cross-tabulation with the chi-square analysis; a P value <.05 was considered statistically significant. <br><br>RESULTS: Alcohol/drug use was related to hospital discharge location. Most patients with alcohol involved injuries discharged to locations other than home or long-term care facilities. Of the 59 patients who required intensive care, their length of stay was less than 3 days, and 24 required mechanical ventilation for short periods. Most blunt thoracic trauma patients were hospitalized less than 7 days. A relationship was identified between discharge location and the presence of any of the National Trauma Databank comorbid conditions and the comorbid condition of bleeding. A relationship between rib fractures and injury-associated complications was not found. The complication of pneumonia was related to length of stay and primary payment method. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Comorbid medical conditions and injury-related factors were associated with injury-related complications and discharge location for select variables. Further exploration with is needed to elucidate the associations more fully.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1078-7496",
doi="10.1097/JTN.0000000000000124",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JTN.0000000000000124"
}