The trauma registry as a statewide quality improvement tool.
BACKGROUND
Trauma registries have been developed to describe the pattern of trauma and trauma workload, provide data for research, and to demonstrate changes in patient outcomes. Quality improvement using trauma registries at a system-wide level has been difficult to achieve. In Victoria, Australia, a statewide trauma system and trauma registry has been established to monitor and feedback the process of management and outcomes of major trauma patients across all healthcare providers.


METHODS
The development and implementation of the Victorian State Trauma Registry (VSTR), including its role as a quality monitoring tool and results from the first 2 years of operation, are provided.


RESULTS
More than 80% of major trauma patients are being managed at major trauma services and standardized death rates are comparable with international standards. Quality indicators identify some areas for improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
VSTR data indicate that the statewide trauma system is working well and provides a method for ongoing monitoring and trauma care feedback.
Cameron
Peter A
PA
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Central and Eastern Clinical School, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia. peter.cameron@med.monash.edu.au
Gabbe
Belinda J
BJ
McNeil
John J
JJ
Finch
Caroline F
CF
Smith
Karen L
KL
Cooper
D James
DJ
Judson
Rodney
R
Kossmann
Thomas
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012042:Registries; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology