Citation

Shafi S, Barnes S, Nicewander D, Ballard D, Nathens AB, Ingraham AM, Hemmila M, Goble S, Neal ML, Pasquale M, Fildes JJ, Gentilello LM. J. Trauma 2010; 69(6): 1367-1371.

Affiliation

Institute for Health Care Research and Improvement (S.S., S.B., D.N., D.B.), Baylor Health Care System, Dallas, Texas; Trauma Quality Improvement Group (A.B.N., A.M.I., M.H., S.G., M.N., M.P., J.J.F.), American College of Surgeons, Chicago, Illinois; University of Toronto (A.B.N.), Toronto, Ontario, Canada; American College of Surgeons (A.M.I., S.G., M.N.), Chicago, Illinois; University of Michigan (M.H.), Ann Arbor, Michigan; Lehigh Valley Hospital (M.P.), Allentown, Pennsylvania; University of Nevada (J.J.F.), Las Vegas, Nevada; and University of Texas Southwestern (L.M.G.), Dallas, Texas.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/TA.0b013e3181fb785d

PMID

21150517

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: The Trauma Quality Improvement Program has demonstrated existence of significant variations in risk-adjusted mortality across trauma centers. However, it is unknown whether centers with lower mortality rates also have reduced length of stay (LOS), with associated cost savings. We hypothesized that LOS is not primarily determined by unmodifiable factors, such as age and injury severity, but is primarily dependent on the development of potentially preventable complications. METHODS:: The National Trauma Data Bank (2002-2006) was used to include patients (older than 16 years) with at least one severe injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥3) from Level I and II trauma centers (217,610 patients, 151 centers). A previously validated risk-adjustment algorithm was used to calculate observed-to-expected mortality ratios for each center. Poisson regression was used to determine the relationship between LOS, observed-to-expected mortality ratios, and complications while controlling for confounding factors, such as age, gender, mechanism, insurance status, comorbidities, and injuries and their severity. RESULTS:: Large variations in LOS (median, 4-8 days) were observed across trauma centers. There was no relationship between mortality and LOS. The most important predictor of LOS was complications, which were associated with a 62% increase. Injury severity score, shock, gunshot wounds, brain injuries, intensive care unit admission, and comorbidities were less important predictors of LOS. CONCLUSION:: Quality improvement programs focusing on mortality alone may not be associated with reduced LOS. Hence, the Trauma Quality Improvement Program should also focus on processes of care that reduce complications, thereby shortening LOS, which may lead to significant cost savings at trauma centers.

Language: en