Changing physiological status predicts severe injury and need for specialized trauma center resources.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluated the association between changing physiological status (delta data) with severe injury (SI) or need for trauma center resources (TCR).


METHODS
Prehospital and emergency department arrival weighted RTS (RTSw) were computed for patients with complete records entered into the registry from 2002 to 2004 (n = 23,753). Physiological change was classified as unchanged, deteriorated, or improved (PreRTSw vs EDRTSw). Performance of delta data was evaluated using standard epidemiological approaches and multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
Deterioration status predicted SI (operating room [OR] = 1.38) and TCR (OR = 2.09). Improved status predicted TCR (OR = 1.27).


CONCLUSIONS
Delta data independently predicted both SI and TCR.
Talbert
Steven
S
University of Central Florida, College of Nursing, 2863 Doe Run Trail, Orange City, Florida 32763, USA. stalbert@mail.ucf.edu
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing