Statewide Discharge Data Supports Development of Inclusive Trauma System

IntroductionVerification by the American College of Surgeons and state designation of trauma centers improve outcomes in trauma care. In regions where participation in trauma systems is optional, legislation requiring inclusion may need evidence of outcome differences. Given the distinct populations treated at trauma centers vs non-trauma centers, validated risk adjustment is essential for fair comparison. The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision injury severity score (ICISS) has been validated for such assessments.MethodsWith institutional review board approval, data from the state Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project from 2018 to 2020 was analyzed. Using ICISS for risk adjustment, outcomes were compared across overall, age-specific, and diagnosis-specific groups.ResultsAmong 3,316,016 discharges, 245,404 (7.4 percent) included at least one injury diagnosis. After excluding transfers out, 151,855 cases remained. Patients at trauma centers had lower risk-adjusted mortality and fewer occurrences of acute kidney injury and pulmonary embolism but higher rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia and surgical site infections. Subgroup analyses revealed that pediatric patients and those with traumatic brain injuries or shock were predominantly treated at trauma centers. Increased age, higher injury severity, male gender, and non-trauma center treatment were associated with lower survival rates. Among geriatric patients with proximal femur fractures, 63 percent were treated at non-trauma centers, with no observed mortality benefit from trauma center care.ConclusionsTrauma center care is associated with improved outcomes supporting the development of more inclusive trauma systems.