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Objective: To investigate the association between higher injury severity and increased informal caregiving received by injured older adults. Summary of Background Data: Injured older adults experience high rates of functional decline and disability after hospitalization. Little is known about the scope of caregiving received post-discharge, particularly from informal caregivers such as family. Methods: We used the National Health and Aging Trends Study 2011 to 2018 linked to Medicare claims to identify adults ≥65 with hospital admission for traumatic injury and a National Health and Aging Trends Study interview within 12 months pre- and post-trauma. Injury severity was assessed using the injury severity score (ISS, low 0–9; moderate 10–15; severe 16–75). Patients reported the types and hours of formal and informal help received and any unmet care needs. Multi variable logistic regression models examined the association between ISS and increase in informal caregiving hours after discharge. Results: We identified 430 trauma patients. Most were female (67.7%), non-Hispanic White (83.4%) and half were frail. The most common mechanism of injury was fall (80.8%) and median injury severity was low (ISS = 9). Those reporting receiving help with any activity increased post-trauma (49.0% to 72.4%, P < 0.01), and unmet needs nearly doubled (22.8% to 43.0%, P < 0.01). Patients had a median of 2 caregivers and most (75.6%) were informal, often family members. Median weekly hours of care received pre- versus post-injury increased from 8 to 14 (P < 0.01). ISS did not independently predict increase in caregiving hours; pre-trauma frailty predicted an increase in hours ≥8 per week. Conclusions: Injured older adults reported high baseline care needs which increased significantly after hospital discharge and were mostly met by informal caregivers. Injury was associated with increased need for assistance and unmet needs regardless of injury severity. These results can help set expectations for caregivers and facilitate post-acute care transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue. This study aims to characterize IPV-related injuries in trauma patients presenting to emergency departments (ED) who required hospitalization. Trauma registries of two Level 1 trauma centers were searched for assault-related ED visits by adults reporting "abuse" over 3 and 5 years to identify IPV victims. Imaging and electronic medical records were reviewed for demographics, injury type, hospital stay, and previous or subsequent presentations for presumed IPV. Twenty-nine of 18,465 (0.2%) individuals seen on the trauma service had reported IPV. Majority were women (90%, mean age 37) and Caucasian (69%), over 50% had psychiatric or substance use comorbidities, and 45% reported prior IPV. Blunt trauma (22/29) was more common than penetrating trauma. Soft tissue injuries dominated when including both radiologic and non-radiologic findings. Excluding two patients who were not imaged, most frequent injuries identified on imaging were to the head/face (14/27), followed by the chest (9/27; mainly rib fractures), upper extremity and abdomen (7/27 each). All spinal fractures involved the upper lumbar spine. Synchronous injuries to multiple body regions were common, particularly craniofacial and upper extremity. Twenty-eight of 29 patients scored a grade 3-4 on the IPV severity grading scale. Eight (28%) patients required intensive care unit -level care. One patient passed. Four (14%) patients had prior IPV-related ED presentations. While craniofacial and soft tissue injuries dominate, IPV can also result in serious thoracoabdominal, extremity and spinal injuries, even death. Multisystem injuries are common with synchronous craniofacial and upper extremity injuries being the most common combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the needs based assessment of trauma systems (NBATS) tool estimates of trauma center need to the existing trauma infrastructure using observed national trauma volume. Summary of Background Data: Robust trauma systems have improved outcomes for severely injured patients. The NBATS tool was created by the American College of Surgeons to align trauma resource allocation with regional needs. Methods: Data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Healthcare Costs and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases, the Trauma Information Exchange Program, and US Census was used to calculate an NBATS score for each trauma service area (TSA) as defined by the Pittsburgh Atlas. This score was used to estimate the number of trauma centers allocated to each TSA and compared to the number of existing trauma centers. Results: NBATS predicts the need for 117 additional trauma centers across the United States to provide adequate access to trauma care nationwide. At least 1 additional trauma center is needed in 49% of TSAs. Conclusions: Application of the NBATS tool nationally shows the need for additional trauma infrastructure across a large segment of the United States. We identified some limitations of the NBATS tool, including preferential weighting based on current infrastructure. The NBATS tool provides a good framework to begin the national discussion around investing in the expansion of trauma systems nationally, however, in many instances lacks the granularity to drive change at the local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with patient-reported outcomes, 6 to 12 months after moderate to severe injury. Summary of background data: Due to limitations of trauma registries, we have an incomplete understanding of factors that impact long-term patient-reported outcomes after injury. As 96% of patients survive their injuries, several entities including the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine have called for a mechanism to routinely follow trauma patients and determine factors associated with survival, patient-reported outcomes, and reintegration into society after trauma. Methods: Over 30 months, major trauma patients [Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥9] admitted to 3 Level-I trauma centers in Boston were assessed via telephone between 6 and 12 months after injury. Outcome measures evaluated long-term functional, physical, and mental-health outcomes. Multiple regression models were utilized to identify patient and injury factors associated with outcomes. Results: We successfully followed 1736 patients (65% of patients contacted). More than half (62%) reported current physical limitations, 37% needed help for at least 1 activity of daily living, 20% screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), all SF-12 physical health subdomain scores were significantly below US norms, and 41% of patients who were working previously were unable to return to work. Age, sex, and education were associated with long-term outcomes, while almost none of the traditional measures of injury severity were. Conclusion: The long-term sequelae of trauma are more significant than previously expected. Collection of postdischarge outcomes identified patient factors, such as female sex and low education, associated with worse recovery. This suggests that social support systems are potentially at the core of recovery rather than traditional measures of injury severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To characterize the economic hardship for uninsured patients admitted for trauma using catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) risk. Background: Medical debts are the greatest cause of bankruptcies in the United States. Injuries are often unpredictable, expensive to treat, and disproportionally affect uninsured patients. Current measures of economic hardship are insufficient and exclude those at greatest risk. Methods: We performed a retrospective review, using data from the 2007–2011 Nationwide Inpatient Samples of all uninsured nonelderly adults (18—64 yrs) admitted with primary diagnoses of trauma. We used US Census data to estimate annual postsubsistence income and in hospital charges for trauma-related admission. Our primary outcome measure was catastrophic health expenditure risk, defined as any charges ≥40% of annual postsubsistence income. Results: Our sample represented 579,683 admissions for uninsured nonelderly adults over the 5-year study period. Median estimated annual income was $40,867 (interquartile range: $21,286–$71.733). Median inpatient charges were $27,420 (interquartile range: $15,196–$49,694). Overall, 70.8% (95% posterior confidence interval: 70.7%–71.1%) of patients were at risk for CHE. The risk of CHE was similar across most demographic subgroups. The greatest risk, however, was concentrated among patients from low-income communities (77.5% among patients in the lowest community income quartile) and among patients with severe injuries (81.8% among those with ISS ≥ 16). Conclusions: Over 7 in 10 uninsured patients admitted for trauma are at risk of catastrophic health expenditures. This analysis is the first application of CHE to a US trauma population and will be an important measure to evaluate the effectiveness of health care and coverage strategies to improve financial risk protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess for changes in uninsured rates among trauma patients at age 64 versus 65 years and whether there are associated changes in post-discharge rehabilitation; determine whether changes are driven by rehabilitation provided at home, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), or acute inpatient facilities; and determine whether changes vary among stratified subgroups of trauma-related “best-practice” factors. Summary Background Data: Rehabilitation is an important component of high-quality trauma systems with access heavily influenced by insurance status. In the wake of policy changes affecting insurance coverage, it remains unknown the extent to which insurance changes associate with variations in rehabilitation access/use among otherwise similar patients. Methods: Regression discontinuity models were used to assess for changes in insurance status and rehabilitation at age 64 versus 65 years among adults ages 54 to 75 years (±10 years age-related Medicare eligibility). Data were extracted from the 2007–2012 National Trauma Data Bank. Results: A total of 305,198 patients were included; 40.1% were discharged to rehabilitation. Medicare eligibility was associated with an abrupt 6.4 (95% confidence interval: 5.8–7.0) percentage-point decline in uninsured and a 9.6 (95% confidence interval: 6.5–12.6) percentage-point increase in rehabilitation at age 64 versus 65 years, enabling an additional 1-in-10 patients to access rehabilitation. Differences were driven by SNF use and were greatest among patients with less-severe clinical presentations. Restriction based on Medicare-payment eligibility to patients with length of stay ≥3days (SNF requirement) and ≥1 “presumptive diagnosis codes” (inpatient facilities’ 60% rule) demonstrated abrupt gains in both SNF and inpatient care. Conclusions: The results reveal the magnitude of changes in access to rehabilitation associated with changes in insurance coverage at age 65 years. Use of quasiexperimental models enabled meaningful consideration of health-policy change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many previous studies have shown that patients admitted to hospital at weekends have worse outcomes than those on other days. It has been proposed that parity of clinical services throughout the week could mitigate the 'weekend effect'. This study aimed to determine whether or not a weekend effect is observed within an all-hours consultant-led major trauma service.Methods: We undertook an observational cohort study using data submitted by all 22 major trauma centres (MTCs) in England to the Trauma Audit & Research Network. The inclusion criteria were all major trauma patients admitted for at least 3 days, admitted to a high-dependency area, or deceased following arrival at hospital. Patients with Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15 were also analysed separately. The outcome measures were length of stay, in-hospital mortality and Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS). Secondary transfer of patients between hospitals was also included as a process outcome.Results: There were 49 070 patients, 22 248 (45.3%) of which had an ISS >15. Within multivariable logistic regression models, odds of secondary transfer into an MTC were higher at night (adjusted OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.93 to 2.19) but not during the day at weekends (1.09, 0.99 to 1.19). Neither admission at night nor at the weekend was associated with increased length of stay, worse GOS or higher odds of in-hospital death. These findings remained stable when confining analyses to the most severely injured patients (ISS >15), excluding transferred patients, and using a single mid-week (Wednesday) baseline.Conclusions: After adjustment for known confounders the weekend effect is not detectable within a regionalised major trauma service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Emerging evidence suggests that male and female nervous systems respond differently to traumatic brain injury (TBI). The objective of this study was to examine outcomes between the sexes after TBI. Patients and methods: A retrospective review of all severe TBI patients admitted between January and December 2005 was performed. Isolated severe TBI was defined as a head abbreviated injury score greater than 3 with an abbreviated injury score of 3 or less for other anatomic regions. The population was stratified into age subgroups (<14 y, 14–44 y, 45–54 y, and ≥55 y). Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of mortality. Results: A total of 1,807 TBI patients were admitted. The mortality was significantly higher for women (43.2% vs 36.2%, P < .01) with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.1–1.9, P < .05). After stratification, only women age 55 and older had a significant difference in mortality (odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–2.62, P = .02). Conclusions: Female sex (particularly those age ≥55 y) is associated independently with higher mortality in isolated severe TBI. This increased mortality of postmenopausal women after isolated TBI may suggest a hormonal influence and warrants further investigation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) among blunt trauma patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to determine if ARDS is associated with higher mortality, morbidity and worse discharge outcome. Methods: Blunt trauma patients with TBI (head abbreviated injury score {AIS}≥4) who developed predefined ARDS criteria between January 2000 and December 2004 were prospectively collected as part of an ongoing ARDS database. Each patient in the TBI+ARDS group was matched with two control TBI patients based on age, injury severity score (ISS) and head AIS. Outcomes including complications, mortality and discharge disability were compared between the two groups. Results: Among 362 TBI patients, 28 (7.7%) developed ARDS. There were no differences between the two groups with respect to age, sex, ISS, Glasgow coma score (GCS), head, abdomen and extremity AIS. The TBI+ARDS group had significantly more patients with chest AIS≥3 (57.1% versus 32.1%, p =0.03). There was no difference with respect to overall mortality between the TBI+ARDS group (50.0%) and the TBI group (51.8%) (OR 0.79: 95% CI 0.31–2.03, p =0.63). There was no significant difference with respect to discharge functional capacity between the two groups. There were significantly more overall complications in the TBI+ARDS group (42.9%) compared to the TBI group (16.1%) (OR 3.66: 95% CI 1.19–11.24, p =0.02). The TBI+ARDS group had an overall mean intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay of 15.6 days, versus 8.4 days in the TBI group (p <0.01). The TBI+ARDS group had significantly higher hospital charges than the TBI group ($210,097 versus $115,342, p <0.01). Conclusion: The presence of ARDS was not associated with higher mortality or worse discharge disability. It was, however, associated with higher hospital morbidity, longer ICU and hospital length of stay. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Arterial base deficit (BD) is a commonly used marker of injury severity and endpoint of resuscitation but requires an arterial puncture and blood gas analysis. Serum bicarbonate (HCO3) is routinely obtained as part of the chemistry panel on most admissions. We hypothesized that serum HCO3 strongly correlates with arterial BD and provides equivalent predictive information. Methods: All trauma ICU admissions from 1996 to 2004 with simultaneously obtained serum chemistry panels and arterial blood gases were identified. Correlation between BD and HCO3 was analyzed by using linear regression, and predictive abilities for acidoses and mortality were compared using the area under the respective receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Separate analyses were done for the entire dataset and the subset of ICU admission laboratory values. Results: We identified 3,102 patients with 50,311 matched pairs of laboratory data. Serum HCO3 showed a significant linear correlation with BD for all laboratory sets (r = 0.85, P < .01) and admission laboratory values only (r = 0.80, P < .01). Serum HCO3 reliably predicted the presence of significant metabolic acidoses (BD >5), with an AUC of 0.96 (P < .01), which clearly outperformed pH (AUC = 0.83), anion gap (AUC = 0.7), and lactate (AUC = 0.73). The mean admission BD among survivors was 2.5 versus 5.2 for nonsurvivors (P < .01), and the mean HCO3 was 17.7 versus 19.8 (P < .01). The admission HCO3 identified nonsurvivors as accurately as BD (AUCs of 0.66 and 0.68) and more accurately than either pH (AUC = 0.53) or anion gap (AUC = 0.6). Conclusion: Serum HCO3 measurement shows a strong linear correlation and similar predictive ability compared with the arterial BD. Serum HCO3 may be safely and accurately substituted for arterial BD measurement in critically injured patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Trauma patients are at high risk for loss to follow-up (LTFU) after hospital discharge. We sought to identify risk factors for LTFU and investigate associations between LTFU and long-term health outcomes in the trauma population. Trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score ≥9 admitted to one of three Level-I trauma centers, 2015-2020, were surveyed via telephone 6 mo after injury. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess factors associated with LTFU and several long-term outcomes. Of 3609 patients analyzed, 808 (22.4%) were LTFU. Patients LTFU were more likely to be male (71% versus 61%, P = 0.001), Black (22% versus 14%, P = 0.003), have high school or lower education (50% versus 42%, P = 0.003), be publicly insured (23% versus 13%, P < 0.001), have a penetrating injury (13% versus 8%, P = 0.006), have a shorter length of stay (3.64 d ± 4.09 versus 5.06 ± 5.99, P < 0.001), and be discharged home without assistance (79% versus 50%, P < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, patients who followed up were more likely to require assistance at home (6% versus 11%; odds ratio [OR] 2.23, 1.26-3.92, P = 0.005), have new functional limitations (11% versus 26%; OR 2.91, 1.97-4.31, P = < 0.001), have daily pain (30% versus 48%; OR 2.11, 1.54-2.88, P = < 0.001), and have more injury-related emergency department visits (7% versus 10%; OR 1.93, 1.15-3.22, P = 0.012). Vulnerable populations are more likely to be LTFU after injury. Clinicians should be aware of potential racial and socioeconomic disparities in follow-up care after traumatic injury. Future studies investigating improvement strategies in follow-up care should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite concerns about long-term dependence, opioids remain the mainstay of treatment for acute pain from traumatic injuries. Additionally, early pain management has been associated with improved long-term outcomes in injured patients. We sought to identify the patterns of prehospital pain management across the United States.Methods: We used 2019 national emergency medical services (EMS) data to identify the use of pain management for acutely injured patients. Opioid specific dosing was calculated in morphine milligram equivalents (MME). The effects of opioids as well as adverse events were identified through objective patient data and structured provider documentation.Results: We identified a total of 3,831,768 injured patients, 85% of whom were treated by an advanced life support (ALS) unit. There were 269,281 (7.0%) patients treated with opioids, including a small number of patients intubated by EMS (n = 1537; 0.6%). The median opioid dose was 10 MME [IQR 5-10] and fentanyl was the most commonly used opioid (88.2%). Patients treated with opioids had higher initial pain scores documented by EMS than those not receiving opioids (median: 9 vs 4, p<0.001), and had a median reduction in pain score of 3 points (IQR 1-5) based on the final prehospital pain score. Adverse events associated with opioid administration, including episodes of altered mental status (n = 453; 0.2%) and respiratory compromise (n = 252; 0.1%), were rare. For patients with severe pain (≥8/10), 27.3% of patients with major injuries (ISS ≥15) were treated with opioids, compared with 24.8% of those with moderate injuries (ISS 9-14), and 21.4% of those with minor (ISS 1-8) injuries (p<0.001).Conclusion: The use of opioids in the prehospital setting significantly reduced pain among injured patients with few adverse events. Despite its efficacy and safety, the majority of patients with major injuries and severe pain do not receive opioid analgesia in the prehospital setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographic variation is an inherent feature of the US health system. Despite efforts to account for geographic variation in trauma system strengthening, it remains unclear how trauma "regions" should be defined. The objective of this study is to evaluate the utility of a novel definition of Trauma Referral Regions (TRR) for assessing geographic variation in inpatient trauma across the age span of hospitalized trauma patients. Using 2016-2017 State Inpatient Databases, we assessed the extent of geographic variability in three common metrics of hospital use (localization index, market share index, net patient flow) among TRRs and, as a comparison, trauma regions alternatively defined based on Hospital Referral Regions, Hospital Service Areas, and counties. A total of 860,593 admissions from 102 TRRs, 127 Hospital Referral Regions, 884 Hospital Service Areas, and 583 counties were included. Consistent with expectations for distinct trauma regions, TRR presented with high average localization indices (mean [standard deviation]: 83.4 [11.7%]), low market share indices (mean [standard deviation]: 11.9 [7.0%]), and net patient flows close to 1.00. Similar results were found among stratified pediatric, adult, and older adult patients. Associations between TRRs and variations in important demographic features (e.g., travel time by road to the nearest Level I or II Trauma Center) suggest that while indicative of standalone trauma regions, TRRs are also able to simultaneously capture critical variations in regional trauma care. TRRs offer a standalone set of geographic regions with minimal variation in common metrics of hospital use, minimal geographic clustering, and preserved associations with important demographic factors. They provide a needed, valid means of assessing geographic variation among trauma systems. • TRR offers a needed new means of assessing geographic variation among trauma systems. • They exhibit minimal variation in hospital use, suggesting standalone regions. • They exhibit minimal geographic clustering, suggesting standalone regions. • They are able to detect regional differences in important demographic features. • They yield similar results for pediatric, adult, and older adult trauma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socioeconomic status (SES) is defined as a total measure of an individual's economic or social position in relation to others. Income and educational level are often used as quantifiable objective measures of SES but are inherently limited. Perceived SES (p-SES), refers to an individual's perception of their own SES. Herein, we assess the correlation between objective SES (o-SES) as defined by income and educational level and p-SES after injury and compare their associations with long-term outcomes after injury. Moderate-to-severely injured patients admitted to a Level 1 trauma center were asked to complete a phone-based survey assessing functional and mental health outcomes, social dysfunction, chronic pain, and return to work/school 6-12 mo postinjury. o-SES was determined by income and educational level (low educational level: high school or lower; low income: live in zip code with median income/household lower than the national median). p-SES was determined by asking patients to categorize their SES. The correlation coefficient between o-SES and p-SES was calculated. Multivariate logistic regression models were built to determine the associations between o-SES and p-SES and long-term outcomes. A total of 729 patients were included in this study. Patients who reported a low p-SES were younger, more likely to suffer penetrating injuries, and to have a weak social support network. Twenty-one percent of patients with high income and high educational level classified their p-SES as low or mid-low, and conversely, 46% of patients with low education and low income classified their p-SES as high or mid-high. The correlation coefficient between p-SES and o-SES was 0.2513. After adjusting for confounders, p-SES was a stronger predictor of long-term outcomes, including functional limitations, social dysfunction, mental health outcomes, return to work/school, and chronic pain than was o-SES. Patient-reported p-SES correlates poorly with o-SES indicating that the commonly used calculation of income and education may not accurately capture an individuals' SES. Furthermore, we found p-SES to be more strongly correlated with long-term outcome measures than o-SES. As we strive to improve long-term outcomes after injury, p-SES may be an important variable in the early identification of individuals who are likely to suffer from worse long-term outcomes after injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: Both lactate and base deficit (BD) are used as predictors of injury severity and mortality. We examined the significance of these measures when used in combination, and particularly when they provide conflicting data. Methods: We reviewed all intensive care unit patients with simultaneously obtained lactate and BD measurements. The ability to predict mortality and hospital stay was compared alone, in combination, and when there was disagreement between the measures. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to compare predictive abilities. Results: There were 1,298 patients with 12,197 sets of paired laboratory data; 1,026 trauma patients and 272 surgical patients. Lactic acidosis was present in 41% and a significant BD level (>2) was found in 52%. Nonsurvivors had higher admission lactate (6.2 vs. 3.3) and base deficit (6.1 vs. 3.2) levels than survivors (both P < .01), with a modest correlation (r = .52) between the measures. The admission lactate and BD levels had similar predictive ability for mortality, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of .7 and .66, respectively (both P < .01). However, the predictive ability of the BD level decreased significantly during the intensive care unit stay (area, .5) compared with lactate level (area, .68). Lactate and BD levels disagreed in 44% of all laboratory sets. In patients with a normal lactate level (<2.2), the BD level had no predictive ability for mortality (area, .48; P = .26). However, in patients with a normal BD level (<2.0), the lactate level retained its predictive ability for mortality (area, .67; P < .01). Lengths of stay were longer among patients with an increased lactate level, even when the BD level was normal. There was no improvement in predictive ability using a combination of the 2 measures. Conclusions: Both lactate and BD levels may be used to identify lactic acidosis and predict mortality at admission. Increased lactate levels predict mortality and a prolonged course regardless of the associated BD level, whereas an increased BD level has no predictive value if the lactate level is normal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Trauma care for injured older adults is complicated by pre-existing chronic illness. We examined the association between chronic illness and post-injury function, healthcare utilization and quality of life.Methods: Trauma patients ≥65 years with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥9 discharged from one of three level-1 trauma centers were interviewed 6-12 months post-discharge. Patients were asked about new functional limitations, injury-related emergency department (ED) visits or readmission, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Trauma registry data was used to determine presence of seven chronic illnesses. Adjusted regression models examined associations between increasing number of chronic illness (0, 1, ≥2) and outcomes.Results: Of 1,379 patients, 46.5% had at least one chronic illness. In adjusted analysis, any chronic illness was associated with higher odds of new functional limitation (1 chronic illness, OR1.54, CI: 1.20-1.97; ≥2, OR1.69, CI: 1.16-2.48) and worse physical health-related QoL (1 chronic illness adj. mean diff= -4.0, CI: -5.6 to -2.5; ≥2 adj. mean diff.= -4.4, CI: -7.3 to -1.4, p<0.01). Mental health post-injury was consistent with population norms across all groups.Conclusion: Presence of any chronic illness in older adults is associated with new functional limitations and worse physical HRQoL post-injury, but unchanged mental health. Focused interventions are needed to support long-term recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common, and significant institutional variation exists with regards to structure and processes of care. Affected patients may be admitted to one of several different services, and this may drive differential care and outcomes. We sought to evaluate differential care and outcomes for patients with isolated mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury based on admission service. This is a single-institution retrospective study of all adult (≥18 y old) patients admitted with isolated TBI (AIS ≤1 in all other body regions) over a 3-year period (6/2015-6/2018). Patients who underwent neurosurgical intervention (craniectomy/craniotomy) and those with a head AIS ≥4 were excluded. Patients were assigned to one of three groups based upon admission service: Trauma Surgery, Neurology/Medicine or Neurosurgery. Outcomes evaluated included in-hospital mortality and markers of differential care. We performed multivariate analyses adjusting for patient demographics and clinical characteristics. A total of 401 isolated mild-to-moderate TBI patients were identified. Overall mortality was 1.7%. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated no difference in mortality. Patients admitted to Neurosurgery underwent more repeat head CTs and were more likely to receive antiseizure medication in the absence of seizure activity, and those admitted to Neurology/Medicine were less likely to receive venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis compared to those admitted to Trauma Surgery. We identify several important metrics of variation in care received by patients with an isolated mild-to-moderate TBI based upon admission service. These findings deserve further study, and this study may lay the foundation for future efforts at protocolizing care in an evidence-based fashion for this patient cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Injury related ED visits and unplanned readmission are common after hospital discharge for patients who sustain moderate-severe injury. • 13.8% of patients experienced an unplanned injury-related ED visit or readmission after hospital discharge for moderate-severe injury. • Injury related ED visits and unplanned readmissions are associated with worse subsequent mental and physical health outcomes. The risk factors for unplanned emergency department (ED) visits and readmission after injury and the impact of these unplanned visits on long-term outcomes are not well understood. We aim to: 1) describe the incidence of and risk factors for injury-related ED visits and unplanned readmissions following injury and, 2) explore the relationship between these unplanned visits and mental and physical health outcomes 6–12 months post-injury. Trauma patients with moderate-to-severe injury admitted to one of three Level-I trauma centers were asked to complete a phone survey to assess mental and physical health outcomes at 6–12 months. Patient reported data on injury-related ED visits and readmissions was collected. Multivariable regression analyses were performed controlling for sociodemographic and clinical variables to compare subgroups. Of 7,781 eligible patients, 4675 were contacted and 3,147 completed the survey and were included in the analysis. 194 (6.2%) reported an unplanned injury-related ED visit and 239 (7.6%) reported an injury-related readmission. Risk factors for injury-related ED visits included: younger age, Black race, a lower level of education, Medicaid insurance, baseline psychiatric or substance abuse disorder and penetrating mechanism. Risk factors for unplanned injury-related readmission included younger age, male sex, Medicaid insurance, substance abuse disorder, greater injury severity and penetrating mechanism of injury. Injury-related ED visits and readmissions were associated with significantly higher rates of PTSD, chronic pain and new injury-related functional limitations in addition to lower SF-12 mental and physical composite scores. Injury-related ED visits and unplanned readmissions are common after hospital discharge following treatment of moderate-severe injury and are associated with worse mental and physical health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Trauma induces a complex immune response that requires a systems biology research approach. Here, we used a novel technology, mass cytometry by time-of-flight, to comprehensively characterize the multicellular response to trauma.Design: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells samples were stained with a 38-marker immunophenotyping cytometry by time-of-flight panel. Separately, matched peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated in vitro with heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae or CD3/CD28 antibodies and stained with a 38-marker cytokine panel. Monocytes were studied for phagocytosis and oxidative burst.Setting: Single-institution level 1 trauma center.Patients or Subjects: Trauma patients with injury severity scores greater than 20 (n = 10) at days 1, 3, and 5 after injury, and age- and gender-matched controls.Interventions: None.Measurements and Main Results: Trauma-induced expansion of Th17-type CD4 T cells was seen with increased expression of interleukin-17 and interleukin-22 by day 5 after injury. Natural killer cells showed reduced T-bet expression at day 1 with an associated decrease in tumor necrosis factor-β, interferon-γ, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Monocytes showed robust expansion following trauma but displayed decreased stimulated proinflammatory cytokine production and significantly reduced human leukocyte antigen - antigen D related expression. Further analysis of trauma-induced monocytes indicated that phagocytosis was no different from controls. However, monocyte oxidative burst after stimulation increased significantly after injury.Conclusions: Using cytometry by time-of-flight, we were able to identify several major time-dependent phenotypic changes in blood immune cell subsets that occur following trauma, including induction of Th17-type CD4 T cells, reduced T-bet expression by natural killer cells, and expansion of blood monocytes with less proinflammatory cytokine response to bacterial stimulation and less human leukocyte antigen - antigen D related. We hypothesized that monocyte function might be suppressed after injury. However, monocyte phagocytosis was normal and oxidative burst was augmented, suggesting that their innate antimicrobial functions were preserved. Future studies will better characterize the cell subsets identified as being significantly altered by trauma using cytometry by time-of-flight, RNAseq technology, and functional studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Most hospitals in the United States are required to provide emergency care to all patients, regardless of insurance status. However, uninsured patients might be unable to access non-acute services, such as post-discharge inpatient care (PDIC). This could result in prolonged acute hospitalization. We tested the hypothesis that insurance status would be independently associated with both PDIC and length of stay (LOS). Methods An observational study was undertaken using the California State Inpatient Database (2007-2011), which captures 98% of patients admitted to hospital in California. All patients with a diagnosis of orthopedic lower limb trauma were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes 820-828. Multivariable logistic and generalized linear regression models were used to adjust odds of PDIC and LOS for patient and hospital characteristics. Results There were 278,573 patients with orthopedic lower limb injuries, 160,828 (57.7%) of which received PDIC. Uninsured patients had lower odds of PDIC (adjusted odds ratio 0.20, 95% confidence interval 0.17-0.24) and significantly longer hospital LOS (predicted mean difference 1.06 [95% confidence interval 0.78-1.34] d) than those with private insurance. Conclusions Lack of health insurance is associated with reduced access to PDIC and prolonged hospital LOS. This potential barrier to hospital discharge could reduce the number of trauma beds available for acutely injured patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background State-supported trauma systems have a proven association with improved mortality, but to date, there are no data reported on what mechanism leads to this benefit. Our hypothesis is that trauma systems with funding support are associated with increased number of trauma centers (TCs). Materials and methods A retrospective population study: data for the number of American College of Surgeons–verified adult TCs in 2010 were obtained from the American College of Surgeons and for state-designated TCs from state departments of health. Population and gross domestic product (GDP) were obtained from the US Census. The main outcome measure was the number of TCs per population and per GDP. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Mann–Whitney U -test and Poisson regression. Results There was no association between a trauma system and the numbers of level 1 or 2 centers. In states with funded trauma systems, the numbers of level 3 centers per GDP and per million state population were 4.76 ± 2.37/$100 billion and 1.77 ± 0.51/million people compared with 0.72 ± 1.72/$100 billion and 0.28 ± 0.60/million people for unfunded states ( P < 0.05). Poisson multivariate regression identified system funding as an independent predictor of number of level 3 centers. Conclusions Our study shows that the number of level 3 TCs significantly and independently correlated with the presence of a funded trauma system. The number of level 1 and 2 centers showed no such correlation. Further study will determine if increased number of level 3 centers leads to improved clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Studies on blood product transfusions after trauma recommend targeting specific ratios to reduce mortality. Although crystalloid volumes as little as 1.5 L predict increased mortality after trauma, little data is available regarding the threshold of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion volume that predicts increased mortality. Materials and methods: Data from a level I trauma center between January 2000 and December 2008 were reviewed. Trauma patients who received at least 100 mL RBC in the emergency department (ED) were included. Each unit of RBC was defined as 300 mL. Demographics, RBC transfusion volume, and mortality were analyzed in the nonelderly (<70 y) and elderly (≥70 y). Multivariate logistic regression was performed at various volume cutoffs to determine whether there was a threshold transfusion volume that independently predicted mortality. Results: A total of 560 patients received ≥100 mL RBC in the ED. Overall mortality was 24.3%, with 22.5% (104 deaths) in the nonelderly and 32.7% (32 deaths) in the elderly. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that RBC transfusion of ≥900 mL was associated with increased mortality in both the nonelderly (adjusted odds ratio 2.06, P = 0.008) and elderly (adjusted odds ratio 5.08, P = 0.006). Conclusions: Although transfusion of greater than 2 units in the ED was an independent predictor of mortality, transfusion of 2 units or less was not. Interestingly, unlike crystalloid volume, stepwise increases in blood volume were not associated with stepwise increases in mortality. The underlying etiology for mortality discrepancies, such as transfusion ratios, hypothermia, or immunosuppression, needs to be better delineated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: High-dose vancomycin is increasingly prescribed for critically ill trauma patients at risk for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia. Although trauma patients have multiple known risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI), a link between vancomycin and AKI or mortality has not been established. We hypothesize that high vancomycin trough concentration (VT) after trauma is associated with AKI and increased mortality. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis from a single institution Level I trauma center. Data were reviewed for all adult trauma patients who were admitted between 2006 and 2010. Patients were included if they received intravenous vancomycin, had serum creatinine levels before and after vancomycin administration, and had at least one recorded VT. Patients were stratified by VT into four groups: VT1 = 0–10 mg/L, VT2 = 10.1–15 mg/L, VT3 = 15.1–20 mg/L, VT4 >20 mg/L. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the association between VT, AKI, and mortality. Results: Of the 6781 trauma patients reviewed, 263 (3.9%) fit inclusion criteria. Ninety-seven (36.9%) patients developed AKI and 25 (9.5%) died. AKI and mortality increased progressively with VT. Ninety-one patients (34.6%) had troughs >20 mg/L and VT4 was independently associated with AKI (AOR 4.7, P < 0.01) and mortality (AOR 4.8, P = 0.05). Conclusion: AKI is common in trauma patients who receive intravenous vancomycin. A supratherapeutic trough level of >20 mg/L is an independent predictor of AKI and mortality in trauma patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: In adult trauma, mortality varies with race and insurance status. In the elderly, insurance type has little impact on mortality after trauma and the influence of race is reduced. How race and insurance affect pediatric trauma requires further attention. We hypothesized that mortality after pediatric trauma is influenced by insurance type and not race. Methods: We reviewed all cases of blunt trauma in children ≤13 y requiring admission, using the National Trauma Data Bank Research Data Sets for 2007 and 2008. Exclusions included an Abbreviated Injury Score of 6 for any body region, dead on arrival, and missing data. Our primary outcome measure was in-hospital mortality. Results: We identified 831 Asian (1.2%), 10,592 black (15.5%), 45,173 white (66.2%), and 8498 Hispanic (12.5%) children, and 3161 children (4.6%) classified as other race. Mean age was 7.4 ± 4.5 y, 11.9% were uninsured, and overall in-hospital mortality was 1.4%. Multivariable modeling indicated that race was not associated with increased mortality (Asian versus white, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.05, P = 0.88; black versus white, AOR 0.92, P = 0.42; Hispanic versus white, AOR 0.87, P = 0.26; and other race versus white, AOR 1.01, P = 0.96). In contrast, insurance status (any insurance versus no insurance, AOR 0.6, P < 0.01) and insurance type (private insurance versus no insurance, AOR 0.47, P < 0.01; Medicaid versus no insurance, 0.67, P < 0.01) predicted reduced mortality. Conclusions: Insurance status and insurance type are important predictors of mortality after pediatric trauma while, in contrast, race is not. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BACKGROUND: Alcohol intoxication in pediatric trauma is underappreciated. The aim of this study was to characterize alcohol screening rates in pediatric trauma METHODS: The Los Angeles County Trauma System Database was queried for all patients aged < 18 years who required admission between 2003 and 2008. Patients were compared by age and gender. RESULTS: A total of 18,598 patients met the inclusion criteria; 4,899 (26.3%) underwent blood alcohol screening, and 2,797 (57.1%) of those screened positive. Screening increased with age (3.3% for 0-9 years, 15.1% for 10-14 years, and 45.4% for 15-18 years; P < .01), as did alcohol intoxication (1.9% for 0-9 years, 5.8% 10-14 years, and 27.3% for 15-18 years; P < .01). Male gender predicted higher mortality in those aged 15 to 18 years (adjusted odds ratio, 1.7; P < .01), while alcohol intoxication did not (adjusted odds ratio, .97; P = .84). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol intoxication is common in adolescent trauma patients. Screening is en-couraged for pediatric trauma patients aged >10 years who require admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The effect of β-blockade in trauma patients without significant head injuries is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the impact of β-blocker exposure on mortality in critically injured trauma patients who did not sustain significant head injuries. Methods: Critically ill trauma patients (Injury Severity Score ≥ 25) admitted to the surgical intensive care unit from January 2000 to December 2008 without severe traumatic brain injuries (head Abbreviated Injury Score ≥ 3) were included in this retrospective review. Patients who received β-blockers within 30 days of intensive care unit admission were compared with those who did not. The primary outcome measure evaluated was in-hospital mortality. Results: During the 9-year study period, 663 critically injured patients (Injury Severity Score ≥ 25) were admitted to the intensive care unit. Of these, 98 patients (14.8%) received β-blockers. Patients exposed to β-blockers had significantly lower in-hospital mortality (11.2% vs 19.3%, P = .006). Stepwise logistic regression identified β-blocker use as an independent protective factor for mortality (adjusted odds ratio, .37; P = .007) in critically injured patients. Conclusions: Beta-blocker exposure was associated with reduced mortality in critically injured patients without head injuries. Prospective validation of this finding is warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: We undertook the current study to determine the impact of elevated admission systolic blood pressure (SBP) on trauma patients without severe brain injury. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the Los Angeles County Trauma System database to identify all patients with moderate to severe injuries (injury severity score >9) admitted between 2003 and 2008. Patients with head abbreviated injury score >3 were excluded. We divided the remaining patients into three age cohorts and conducted multivariate regression modeling at increasing SBP thresholds to identify independent predictors of mortality. Results: A total of 23,931 patients met inclusion criteria. Overall mortality was 8.6% and it increased with age across the three groups. The admission SBP thresholds associated with significantly increased mortality in the young and middle-aged were >190 mm Hg (AOR 1.5, P = 0.04) and >180 mm Hg (AOR 1.5, P = 0.01), respectively. In the elderly, no admission SBP threshold was associated with significantly increased mortality. Interestingly, several elevated admission SBP thresholds were associated with significantly reduced mortality in the elderly (>150 mm Hg AOR 0.6, P < 0.01; >160 mm Hg AOR 0.6, P < 0.01; and >170 mm Hg AOR 0.7, P = 0.02). Conclusions: The admission SBP thresholds that predicted higher mortality for the young and middle-aged were >190 mm Hg and >180 mm Hg, respectively. Elderly trauma patients tolerated higher admission SBP than their younger counterparts and multiple elevated SBP thresholds were associated with significantly reduced mortality in the elderly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: This analysis explored the association between gender and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in trauma patients and then established how gender influenced outcomes in those with elevated SBP. Methods: Demographics and outcomes were compared using the Los Angeles County Trauma System Database and multivariable modeling determined predictors for SBP, pneumonia, and mortality. Results: Age and male sex were significant predictors for increased SBP, whereas the Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16 was a significant predictor for decreased SBP. In both male and female TBI patients, SBP ≥160 mmHg was associated with increased pneumonia (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.74, P = .002 and AOR = 2.37, P = .046, respectively), whereas SBP ≥160 mmHg was a predictor for mortality only among male TBI patients (AOR = 1.48, P = .03). In non-TBI patients, SBP ≥160 mmHg was not a predictor for pneumonia or mortality in either sex. Conclusions: In this retrospective review of trauma registry data, men presented with higher SBP. In patients with TBI, regardless of gender, increased SBP was associated with increased pneumonia, and in men with TBI increased SBP was associated with increased mortality. The cause and relevance of these epidemiological findings require further investigation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: The purpose of this study is to characterize traumatic suicide attempts (TSA) by age, gender, race, and mechanism of injury. Methods: This is a retrospective review of TSA patients (identified by E-codes) admitted to our urban, level I trauma center from 1992 through 2005. Mechanisms of TSA included jump from height, firearm (gunshot wound [GSW]), cutting or piercing instrument (stab wound [SW]), and motor vehicle (MV)-related. Patients were categorized in groups by age in years (< 18, 18–35, 36–54, 55–69, ≥ 70). Results: A total of 876 TSA patients were identified; 83% were male, with a mean age of 35 years and a mean Injury Severity Score of 10. The most common mechanism was SW (39%), followed by jump (26%), GSW (21%), and MV-related (13%). Primary mechanism of TSA varied by age (p < 0.0001), with GSW most common in those patients aged < 18 years (64%) and ≥ 70 years (44%), and SW most common in all other age groups. Overall, 16% of TSAs were successful. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for mortality for age 70+ vs. age 36–54 was 12.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3–78, p = 0.005), and the AOR for mortality from GSW vs. SW was 9.8 (95% CI 2.6–44, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The most common mechanism for TSA was SW, although GSW was the most effective. The mechanism of choice for TSA depends on age, with the extremes of age more commonly choosing a firearm. Age and method of TSA are significant contributing factors to success of suicide attempts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Physiologic variables used in trauma triage criteria may be significantly affected by age, decreasing their predictive value in geriatric trauma. Methods: The study population was all adult patients in the Washington State Trauma Registry from 2000 to 2004. Elderly patients were defined as those aged >65 years. Multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between age and trauma triage decisions, need for emergent interventions, and outcomes. Results: Of 51,227 trauma admissions, 13,820 (27%) were for elderly patients. Elderly patients were significantly less likely to have trauma team activation (14% vs 29%, P <.01), despite a similar percentage of severe injuries (injury severity score > 15), and more often required urgent craniotomy (10% vs 6%, P <.01) and orthopedic procedures (67% vs 51%, P <.01). Heart rate and blood pressure were not predictive of severe injury for those aged >65 years. Undertriaged elderly patients had 4 times the mortality rate and discharge disability of younger patients (both P values <.001). Conclusions: Elderly trauma victims are less likely to undergo rapid trauma evaluation and have significantly worse outcomes compared with younger patients. Standard physiologic triage variables may not identify severe injury in older patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: Hanging has become the second most common method of attempted suicide among adolescents, but there is little relevant epidemiologic or outcome data in the trauma literature. Additionally, there are no studies examining the degree of functional disability among survivors of hanging injury. Methods: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried for all patients with an E-code diagnosis of hanging injury. Demographic and injury pattern data were analyzed. Disability at discharge was assessed using the functional independence measure (FIM) scores for feeding, locomotion, and expression (range 1 = full disability to 4 = no disability). Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of mortality and degree of functional disability at discharge. Results: There were 655 patients identified (84% male) with a mean age of 30.3 years and mean injury severity score (ISS) of 9. There were 92 (14%) deaths in the emergency department (ED) and 119 (18%) deaths after admission, for an overall mortality rate of 33%. Excluding ED deaths, survivors had significantly higher Glasgow coma scores (GCS) at the scene (8 vs. 4) and in the ED (9 vs. 3), a lower ED base deficit (4 vs. 9), and lower ISS (6 vs. 15, all P < .01) compared with nonsurvivors. The strongest independent predictor of hospital mortality was ED GCS <15 (odds ratio 16.1, P < .01); the mortality rate was 1.5% for patients with an ED GCS of 15 versus 29% for any GCS <15. Of patients who survived to discharge (n = 277), 84% were functionally independent (total FIM = 12), and 10% had severe functional disabilities in feeding, expression, or locomotion (FIM <3). Patients with severe disability had a higher incidence of intracranial (38% vs. 19%) and chest injury (19% vs. 5%) but surprisingly demonstrated equivalent rates of vascular (0% vs. 2.6%) and spinal injury (11% vs. 12%) compared with those without severe disability. Independent predictors of functional outcome were ISS and ED GCS (both P < .01). There was no severe functional disability at discharge among patients with an ED GCS of 15 compared with a 15% severe disability rate if the ED GCS was <15. Conclusions: Hanging injuries are associated with a high overall mortality rate, with the admission GCS being the best independent predictor of outcome. However, the majority of survivors have little to no functional disability. The presence of severe disability at discharge is mainly attributed to intracranial and thoracic injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Context: The Trauma Quality Improvement Program Best Practice Guidelines recommend palliative care (PC) concurrent with restorative treatment for patients with life-threatening injuries. Measuring PC delivery is challenging: administrative data are nonspecific, and manual review is time intensive.Objectives: To identify PC delivery to patients with life-threatening trauma and compare the performance of natural language processing (NLP), a form of computer-assisted data abstraction, to administrative coding and gold standard manual review.Methods: Patients 18 years and older admitted with life-threatening trauma were identified from two Level I trauma centers (July 2016-June 2017). Four PC process measures were examined during the trauma admission: code status clarification, goals-of-care discussion, PC consult, and hospice assessment. The performance of NLP and administrative coding were compared with manual review. Multivariable regression was used to determine patient and admission factors associated with PC delivery.Results: There were 76,791 notes associated with 2093 admissions. NLP identified PC delivery in 33% of admissions compared with 8% using administrative coding. Using NLP, code status clarification was most commonly documented (27%), followed by goals-of-care discussion (18%), PC consult (4%), and hospice assessment (4%). Compared with manual review, NLP performed more than 50 times faster and had a sensitivity of 93%, a specificity of 96%, and an accuracy of 95%. Administrative coding had a sensitivity of 21%, a specificity of 92%, and an accuracy of 68%. Factors associated with PC delivery included older age, increased comorbidities, and longer intensive care unit stay.Conclusion: NLP performs with similar accuracy with manual review but with improved efficiency. NLP has the potential to accurately identify PC delivery and benchmark performance of best practice guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]