TY - JOUR
T1 - A multicenter evaluation on the impact of non-therapeutic transfer in rural trauma
AU - Bardes, James M.
AU - Grabo, Daniel J.
AU - LaRiccia, Aimee
AU - Spalding, M. Chance
AU - Warriner, Zachary D.
AU - Bernard, Andrew C.
AU - Dougherty, Melissa B.Linskey
AU - Armen, Scott B.
AU - Hudnall, Aaron
AU - Stout, Conley
AU - Wilson, Alison
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022
PY - 2023/1
Y1 - 2023/1
N2 - Introduction: Trauma transfers are a common occurrence in rural areas, where critical access and lower-level trauma centers routinely transfer to tertiary care centers for specialized care. Transfers are non-therapeutic (NTT) when no specialist intervention occurs, leading to transfer that were futile (FT) or secondary overtriage (SOT). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of NTT among four trauma centers providing care to rural Appalachia. Methods: This retrospective review was performed at four, ACS verified, Level 1 trauma centers. All adult trauma patients, transferred during 2018 were included for analysis. Transfers were considered futile if in <48 h the patient died or was discharged to hospice, without operative intervention. SOT transfers were discharged in <48 h, without major intervention, with an ISS< 15. Cost analysis was performed to describe the impact of NTT on EMS use. Results: 4,189 patients were analyzed during the study period. 105 (2.5%) met criteria for futility. Futile patients had a median ISS of 25 (IQR 9–26), and 48% had an AIS head ≥4. These were significantly greater (p<0.001) than non-futile transfers, median ISS 5 (IQR 2–9), 3% severe head injury. SOT occurred in 1371 (33%), median ISS of 5, and lower AIS scores by region. Isolated facial injuries resulted in 165 transfers. 13% of FT+SOT were admitted to the ICU. Only 22% of FT+SOT came from a trauma center. 68% were transported by ALS and 13% transported by air transport. FT+SOT traveled on average 70 miles from their home to receive care. Conclusions: Non-therapeutic transfers account for more than 1/3 of transfers in this rural environment. There was a significant use of advanced life support and aeromedical transport. The utility of these transfers should be questioned. With the recent increases in telehealth there is an opportunity for trauma systems to improve regional care and decrease transfers for futile cases.
AB - Introduction: Trauma transfers are a common occurrence in rural areas, where critical access and lower-level trauma centers routinely transfer to tertiary care centers for specialized care. Transfers are non-therapeutic (NTT) when no specialist intervention occurs, leading to transfer that were futile (FT) or secondary overtriage (SOT). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of NTT among four trauma centers providing care to rural Appalachia. Methods: This retrospective review was performed at four, ACS verified, Level 1 trauma centers. All adult trauma patients, transferred during 2018 were included for analysis. Transfers were considered futile if in <48 h the patient died or was discharged to hospice, without operative intervention. SOT transfers were discharged in <48 h, without major intervention, with an ISS< 15. Cost analysis was performed to describe the impact of NTT on EMS use. Results: 4,189 patients were analyzed during the study period. 105 (2.5%) met criteria for futility. Futile patients had a median ISS of 25 (IQR 9–26), and 48% had an AIS head ≥4. These were significantly greater (p<0.001) than non-futile transfers, median ISS 5 (IQR 2–9), 3% severe head injury. SOT occurred in 1371 (33%), median ISS of 5, and lower AIS scores by region. Isolated facial injuries resulted in 165 transfers. 13% of FT+SOT were admitted to the ICU. Only 22% of FT+SOT came from a trauma center. 68% were transported by ALS and 13% transported by air transport. FT+SOT traveled on average 70 miles from their home to receive care. Conclusions: Non-therapeutic transfers account for more than 1/3 of transfers in this rural environment. There was a significant use of advanced life support and aeromedical transport. The utility of these transfers should be questioned. With the recent increases in telehealth there is an opportunity for trauma systems to improve regional care and decrease transfers for futile cases.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.injury.2022.07.045
DO - 10.1016/j.injury.2022.07.045
M3 - Article
C2 - 35931578
AN - SCOPUS:85135308572
SN - 0020-1383
VL - 54
SP - 238
EP - 242
JO - Injury
JF - Injury
IS - 1
ER -