Evaluation of the Mechanism of Injury Component of the Trauma Triage Criteria
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers must appropriately identify which patients will benefit from the special resources of a trauma center, such as Froedtert Hospital. This requires them to have evidence-based trauma triage tools. Our study examined the most commonly used tool, the American College of Surgeon's Field Triage Criteria. Specifically, the mechanism-of-injury (such as motor vehicle crash, motorcycle crash, pedestrian or bicyclist struck, fall, or gunshot wound) component of the criteria were evaluated to determine which conditions are predictive of Trauma Center need.
The study was conducted at three Level 1 Trauma Centers (Milwaukee, WI; Rochester, NY; and Royal Oak, MI). Data was collected from March 2007 through March 2009, with enrollment of almost 12,000 patients.
Trauma Triage Pic 2By conducting this study we are hoping to gain more information about the mechanism of injury component used to guide triage decisions when the physiologic and anatomic components are not met. Once all data is collected, our analysis will allow for EMS providers to make better triage decisions potentially leading to reduced morbidity and mortality for these patients.
For more information about the study please contact the study PI, E. Brooke Lerner, PhD.