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Death statistics typically are measured for as long as 30 days after trauma and might not accurately reflect the long-term efficacy of trauma care. In a retrospective cohort study, these authors linked a state trauma registry and death certificates for all 124,421 adult patients (mean age, 53; 24% ≥75; 59% men) who were admitted for more than 48 hours to 1 of 78 trauma hospitals in Washington State in 1995 through 2008. Patients with burns on >20% of their bodies were excluded. Mortality follow-up was through 2008.
Mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 10.9, and 5.8% of patients died during trauma hospitalization. Among 117,178 patients discharged alive, cumulative mortality at 1 and 3 years postdischarge was 9.8% and 16.0%, respectively. Mor…