Prior studies comparing outcomes from trauma care at children's hospitals versus adult hospitals.
Current evidence suggests that the majority of injured children are not treated in a pediatric trauma center. This review failed to provide a definitive answer to the question of whether injured children treated at children's hospitals or adult hospitals with a dedicated pediatric unit have better outcomes than those treated at adult hospitals. However, it identified areas that have been addressed, and more importantly, uncovered others that are largely unanswered. In lieu of a prospective randomized trial, the next best way to address these unsolved issues would be a prospective collection of data with careful attention to assessing injury severity, physiologic response to the injury, associated injuries and comorbidities, along with resuscitation techniques, hospital resources, and manpower training.
Ochoa
Christian
C
Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Chokshi
Nikunj
N
Upperman
Jeffrey S
JS
Jurkovich
Gregory J
GJ
Ford
Henri R
HR
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000628:therapy; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D020127:Recovery of Function; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*