The association of advanced life support training and decreased per capita trauma death rates: an analysis of 12,417 trauma deaths.
This study identified a number of significant predictors of per capita county trauma mortality rates: rurality, percentage nonwhite population, percentage unemployment, and Advanced Life Support (ALS) versus Basic Life Support (BLS) status. Of these, ALS versus BLS status is not only the most significant independent predictor, it is the only predictor readily amenable to change. The aspects of ALS clearly associated with decreased trauma death rates should be identified and, if possible, undergo widespread implementation.
Messick
W J
WJ
Department of Surgery, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill.
Rutledge
R
R
Meyer
A A
AA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004522:Educational Status; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy