Transfer to Tertiary Trauma Centers Improves Survival

At least in a predominantly rural state with a mandatory trauma point-of-entry plan

Researchers evaluated whether transfer to a tertiary trauma center is associated with survival benefit in a retrospective study of 6229 patients with major trauma who presented to 104 level III and level IV trauma centers in Oklahoma during 2006 and 2007.

Overall, 2669 patients (43%) were transferred to level I or level II centers within 24 hours of arrival. In analyses adjusted for multiple variables — including age, Injury Severity Score, injury location, comorbidity, initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, presence of severe head injury, and demographic factors — patients who were transferred to tertiary trauma centers were almost one third less likely to die within 30 days than those who were not transferred.

Reviewing Author

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)