Evaluation of Highest Level Pediatric Trauma Activation Criteria

Despite the presence of a tiered in-hospital trauma triage system for the past decade, trauma centers still struggle with a definitive list of highest level activation criteria. In 2002, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) mandated 6 criteria for highest level activation. However, it is unknown if pediatric trauma centers follow these criteria. The purpose of this study is to identify and categorize the highest level pediatric trauma criteria used by pediatric trauma centers in the United States.

In collaboration with the ACS, we reviewed activation criteria for highest level trauma activation for all ACS-verified level I pediatric trauma centers in the United States. Criteria were sorted by 2 reviewers into categories of indicators used for activation: patient demographic, physiologic, anatomic, intervention/resource usage, mechanism, and other.

A total of 51 unique criteria for highest level trauma activation were identified from 54 (96%) of 56 level I pediatric trauma centers. Each center used between 1 and 29 criteria. A total of 42.6% of pediatric trauma centers followed all 6 criteria recommended by ACS. The most commonly omitted criterion was emergency physician discretion. The most common criteria not included in the ACS recommendations, but included in the highest level activation criteria, were amputation proximal to wrist or ankle (63%), and spinal cord injury/paralysis (63%).

There is wide variation in the criteria used for highest level trauma activation among pediatric trauma centers. Further research investigating individual or grouped criteria to determine the most sensitive and specific criteria are necessary for appropriate triage and resource usage.