Quantification of the demand of major trauma on different specialities

Cork University Hospital (CUH) is the designated Major Trauma Centre for the South Trauma Network in Ireland.

To quantify the demands of major trauma patients on particular specialities during early in-hospital care in Cork University Hospital.

Data was extracted from the TARN database on patients admitted to Cork University Hospital with an injury severity score greater than 15 over a two-year period. Data was analysed to establish the frequency and urgency of operative procedures.

447 patients with an injury severity score greater than 15 were admitted to Cork University Hospital between 1st July 2018 and 30th June 2020. Of these, 40.3% (n = 180) required an operative procedure with 7.4% (n = 33) requiring more than one procedure and 4% (n = 18) requiring a procedure from more than one specialty. There were 226 operative procedures performed of which 18.1% (n = 41) were performed within 4 h (urgently). Neurosurgery (36.7%, n = 83) and Orthopaedics (35%, n = 79) were the two specialties required most frequently. Neurosurgery (78%, n = 32) were required most frequently for urgent procedures.

There is notable variation in the demands placed on different specialities in the management of major trauma patients at Cork University Hospital which may have implications on the planning of a major trauma centre for the south of Ireland.