173min, p = 0.013) were significantly faster for the TTL group compared to the non-TTL group (Table 4). Table 4 Times to diagnostic imaging Diagnostic test TTL involved Non-TTL p-value Mean time (min) Mean time (min) (SD) (min) (SD) (min) Chest X-ray 88 (172) 99 (157) 0.466 Pelvis X-ray 68 (77) 107 (160) 0.007 C spine X-ray 98 (134) 115 (146) 0.276 CT head 111 (109) 129 (82) 0.068 CT chest 133 (130) 172 (136) 0.005 CT ab/pelvis 136 (133) 173 (144) 0.013 CT C spine 131 (134) 166 (142) 0.054 Ab/Pelvis Abdomen and pelvis, C spine Cervical spine. Major outcome measures
and readmission rate Patients from the TTL group required significantly longer ICU LOS compared to the non-TTL group (mean 4.5 days vs. 2.9 days, p = 0.040). Although not statistically significant, the NVP-BGJ398 mw total LOS was also higher for the TTL group compared to the non-TTL group (16.2 days vs. 12.4 days, p = 0.050). There is no difference in mortality between the two groups (TTL 5.5% vs. non-TTL 4.3%, p = 0.682). The overall rate of unplanned readmission within 60 days was 4.0% (19 out of 477 patients), and the rates were not significantly
different between the TTL group (3.5%, 9 out of 257 patients) and non-TTL group (4.5%, 10 out of 220 patients; p = 0.642) (Table 1). Discussion ATLS provide a common framework Selleckchem AZD8055 and organized approach to trauma resuscitations, and has been shown to improve outcomes [4, 5]. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ATLS training on improving the quality of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and decreasing mortality rate [4, 5]. ATLS training and implementation, as a part of a well-organized trauma system, can improve outcomes of trauma
patients [12–19]. As with any quality assessment, the results from this study demonstrated a need to improve overall ATLS compliance at our institution. However, the compliance rates for primary and secondary surveys at our institution were similar or slightly Metalloexopeptidase higher compared to other studies [9–11]. Santora et al.[9] found an overall deviation rate of 23% from ATLS protocols in their study using video assessment of trauma resuscitations, while the overall compliance rate for ATLS was only 53% in the study by Spanjersberg et al.[10]. In our study, the presence of a TTL during trauma resuscitation led to a significantly higher compliance rate for primary and secondary surveys, and also increased efficiency of resuscitation as demonstrated by the decrease in time to diagnostic imaging compared to the absence of a TTL. Time for CT acquisition for trauma patients range widely in the literature, from 17 to 197 minutes [20–24], and there is no definition for acceptable time to completion of diagnostic imaging in trauma patients. The mean times from patient arrival to completion of CT scans in our center were within the time frame reported by other studies; however, times to completion of xrays were often delayed.