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Effectiveness of implementing a trauma triage system on outcome: a prospective evaluation
L Kilberg1, T P Clemmer, J Clawson
1Department of Medicine, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT 84143.
The Journal of Trauma
|October 1, 1988
Summary
Implementing a field trauma triage system using the CRAMS score improved survival for severely injured patients. Severely injured trauma victims (CRAMS score ≤ 4) showed lower mortality when transported to a Level I Trauma Center.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Trauma Surgery
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Field trauma triage is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
- The CRAMS (Coma, Respiration, Arterial Bleeding, Motor Function, Skin) score is a tool used for trauma assessment.
- Effective triage systems aim to direct patients to appropriate levels of care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a field trauma triage system utilizing the CRAMS score in Salt Lake County.
- To determine if triage to a Level I Trauma Center improves outcomes for severely injured patients.
Main Methods:
- A 9-month prospective study comparing pre- and post-implementation of a CRAMS-based triage system.
- Trauma victims were assessed using the CRAMS score in the field.
- Patients with CRAMS scores of 1-6 were triaged to the Level I Trauma Center post-implementation.
Main Results:
- A total of 113 patients were studied (53 pre-implementation, 60 post-implementation).
- Severely injured patients (CRAMS score ≤ 4) had significantly lower mortality at the Level I Trauma Center (p = 0.013).
Conclusions:
- The CRAMS triage system is effective in identifying severely injured trauma patients.
- Triage to a Level I Trauma Center significantly improves survival rates for patients with CRAMS scores of 4 or less.
- The CRAMS triage system enhances trauma care delivery in Salt Lake County.