Citation

Meisler R, Berlac PA. Ugeskr. Laeger 2009; 171(36): 2548-2552.

Vernacular Title

Traumevisitation i Nordsjaelland for og efter indsaettelse af akutlaegebil.

Affiliation

Akutlaegebil Nordsjaelland, Anaestesiologisk Afdeling, Hillerød Hospital, DK-3400 Hillerød.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Den Alm Danske Laegerforening)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19732544

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Prompt and correct triage to a facility capable of providing optimal care is important for survival and functional outcome after major trauma. This study compared the influence of on-scene deployment of physicians with medical telephone counselling of paramedics on the triage of trauma patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of trauma patients triaged to tertiary treatment outside Frederiksborg County from March 2006 to February 2007. Patients were either triaged directly from the scene of the accident or secondarily transferred from a local hospital. The study period was divided into two intervals. Triage in the first interval was based on telephone counselling of paramedics by consultant anaesthesiologists. Triage in the second interval was performed by the same anaesthesiologists deployed in the field. Triage decisions, Injury Severity Score (ISS) and 30-day mortality were registered. RESULTS: Among 607 patients, 82 were triaged to tertiary treatment. The proportion of patients triaged directly from the scene of the accident increased from 27.8% to 69.6% after prehospital deployment of physicians, whereas secondary transfers decreased from 72.2% to 30.4% (p = 0.0002). Patients triaged directly from the scene had a significantly lower ISS than secondarily transferred patients (5 (1-17) versus 17 (14-26), p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Prehospital, physician-based triage of trauma significantly reduced the need for secondary transfers to tertiary facilities.

Language: da