The first Italian trauma registry of national relevance: methodology and initial results

To describe and discuss the ongoing endeavor to establish a multiregional trauma registry in Italy.

Prospective observational analysis by description and cohort comparison.

Three Italian hospitals, referral centers for severely traumatized patients.

trauma victims admitted between 1 July 2004 and 28 February 2005 with an Injury Severity Score >15 or requiring early admission to intensive care.

None.

Compilation rates for some 'sentry' variables. Total number of patients and Injury Severity Score. Ten widely used descriptive variables (type of trauma, mechanism of injury, age, gender, Injury Severity Score, Revised Trauma Score, Prognostic Severity Index, 'call-to-hospital' and 'admission-to-ward' intervals, and outcome at 30 days) measured in the subgroup with Injury Severity Score>15, in general and by hospital.

A trauma registry has been established that fit the present organization of trauma care in Italy. It seems to compare well with the references available in the literature. Five hundred and forty-nine patients have been enrolled so far. The compilation rate has been well above 70% for all variables in all hospitals, except pre-hospital times in two hospitals. A substantial homogeneity exists among the hospitals in the general characteristics of the patients with Injury Severity Score>15.

The project has achieved its goals so far. The previous estimates on the number of cases (about 300/year/hospital) are confirmed and major shortcomings in methodology seem unlikely. Therefore, positive future developments are possible: usage for quality improvement and research, linkage to other European registries and participation of other hospitals.