Impact of Transfer Distance on Trauma Patient Outcomes
Author Information
Author(s): Kristiansen Thomas, Lossius Hans M, Søreide Kjetil, Steen Petter A, Gaarder Christine, Næss Pål A
Primary Institution: Oslo University Hospital - Ullevål
Hypothesis
How does the distance of transfer to a trauma center affect injury patterns and outcomes in trauma patients?
Conclusion
The study found that longer transfer distances were associated with higher injury severity and different injury patterns among trauma patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Seventy-six percent of transferred patients were severely injured.
- Mortality for all transferred patients was 11%, varying by transfer distance.
- The trauma team was activated less frequently for shorter transfers.
Takeaway
This study shows that when patients are transferred to a trauma center from farther away, they tend to have more severe injuries and different types of injuries compared to those who are closer.
Methodology
The study analyzed data from the OUH trauma registry for patients transferred to the trauma center from 2001 to 2008, categorizing them by transfer distance.
Potential Biases
There may be selection bias in which patients are transferred based on their perceived severity of injuries.
Limitations
The study did not capture data on patients not transferred from referring hospitals, which may affect the validity of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The study included 7353 patients, with a median age of 39 for transferred patients and 33 for directly admitted patients.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 2.3-5.1
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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