The effect of organized systems of trauma care on motor vehicle crash mortality.
BACKGROUND
Despite calls for wider national implementation of an integrated approach to trauma care, the effectiveness of this approach at a regional or state level remains unproven.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether implementation of an organized system of trauma care reduces mortality due to motor vehicle crashes.


METHODS
Cross-sectional time-series analysis of crash mortality data collected for 1979 through 1995 from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.


METHODS
All 50 US states and the District of Columbia.


METHODS
All front-seat passenger vehicle occupants aged 15 to 74 years.


METHODS
Rates of death due to motor vehicle crashes compared before and after implementation of an organized trauma care system. Estimates are based on within-state comparisons adjusted for national trends in crash mortality.


RESULTS
Ten years following initial trauma system implementation, mortality due to traffic crashes began to decline; about 15 years following trauma system implementation, mortality was reduced by 8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3%-12%) after adjusting for secular trends in crash mortality, age, and the introduction of traffic safety laws. Implementation of primary enforcement of restraint laws and laws deterring drunk driving resulted in reductions in crash mortality of 13% (95% CI, 11%-16%) and 5% (95% CI, 3%-7%), respectively, while relaxation of state speed limits increased mortality by 7% (95% CI, 3%-10%).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that implementation of an organized system of trauma care reduces crash mortality. The effect does not appear for 10 years, a finding consistent with the maturation and development of trauma triage protocols, interhospital transfer agreements, organization of trauma centers, and ongoing quality assurance.
Nathens
A B
AB
Department of Surgery, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle 98104-2499, USA. anathens@u.washington.edu
Jurkovich
G J
GJ
Cummings
P
P
Rivara
F P
FP
Maier
R V
RV
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008875:Middle Aged; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012449:Safety; D014186:Transportation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology