Abstract
The purpose of this study is to analyze the accuracy of prehospital trauma scoring by EMS providers based on OPTTG in order to identify inaccuracies and improve patient care. Our hypothesis is that EMS inaccurately triages trauma patients at a rate exceeding the guidelines of ACS-COT.
A retrospective chart review was performed assessing EMS patient care reports and their corresponding Emergency Department (ED) record of trauma patients transported to a single rural hospital. Data was extracted from EMS reports dated from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019 to determine accurate trauma priority scores (TPS). To decrease uncertainty and bias, two physicians performed chart review and data entry.5
Data review consisted of 2,751 patient encounters which included records from both EMS and the ED. After reviewing both records, a TPS was determined consistent with OPTTG which was compared to the TPS score assigned by EMS.
Priority 1 traumas were undertriaged 61.7% of the time. Priority 2 traumas were the most commonly misidentified, up to 62.6% of cases. Failure to recognize elements of advanced age, anticoagulation use, and transient altered mental status were the most commonly overlooked.
Overall, 59.3% of patients were undertriaged, which is greater than the acceptable rate (5%) as published by ACS-COT.1 We believe that TPS accuracy can be improved with further education of EMS providers.
A retrospective chart review was performed assessing EMS patient care reports and their corresponding Emergency Department (ED) record of trauma patients transported to a single rural hospital. Data was extracted from EMS reports dated from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019 to determine accurate trauma priority scores (TPS). To decrease uncertainty and bias, two physicians performed chart review and data entry.5
Data review consisted of 2,751 patient encounters which included records from both EMS and the ED. After reviewing both records, a TPS was determined consistent with OPTTG which was compared to the TPS score assigned by EMS.
Priority 1 traumas were undertriaged 61.7% of the time. Priority 2 traumas were the most commonly misidentified, up to 62.6% of cases. Failure to recognize elements of advanced age, anticoagulation use, and transient altered mental status were the most commonly overlooked.
Overall, 59.3% of patients were undertriaged, which is greater than the acceptable rate (5%) as published by ACS-COT.1 We believe that TPS accuracy can be improved with further education of EMS providers.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| State | Published - 7 Jun 2024 |
| Event | 7th Annual OSU CHS | OMECO Resident-Fellow Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Symposium 2024 - Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tandy Conference Center, 1111 W. 17th Street, Tula Campus, , Tulsa, United States Duration: 7 Jun 2024 → 7 Jun 2024 https://medicine.okstate.edu/gme/quality-symposium/2024-quality-symposium.html |
Conference
| Conference | 7th Annual OSU CHS | OMECO Resident-Fellow Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Symposium 2024 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | 2024 Quality Improvement Symposium |
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Tulsa |
| Period | 7/06/24 → 7/06/24 |
| Internet address |