Incidence and outcomes of major trauma patients managed in the Australian Capital Territory.
BACKGROUND
To determine the incidence and characteristics of major traumatic injury treated in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) over a 5-year period.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of ACT Level 1 Trauma Centre registry data from July 2007 to June 2012 was conducted. Inclusion criteria were: major trauma (Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15), intensive care unit admission, hospital stay >3 days or penetrating injury.


RESULTS
There were 931 patients with an ISS >15, a 12.5% increase over the 5-year period (P = 0.003). Unadjusted mortality rates in the ISS >15 group remained stable at 9.9%. About half of all injuries occurred outside the ACT. The largest age group represented was 16-24 years. Road trauma was the most prevalent injury mechanism, but its incidence reduced over the 5-year period (52.2-40.3% [P = 0.005]). There was a 3.1% increase in admissions following violence.


CONCLUSIONS
The largest demographic affected by major trauma in the ACT and surrounds is young people. Injury prevention should remain focused on road trauma but also target violence and high-risk recreation activities. Further investigation around the circumstances of major traumatic injury in young people is required. Funding and cross-border agreements should be reviewed to minimize financial disadvantage to the ACT.
Shock Trauma Service, The Canberra Hospital, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Rebekah
R
Ogilvie
Kate
K
Curtis
Cameron
C
Palmer
Mary
M
Lam
Andrea
A
McCloughen
Kim
K
Foster
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020958:Australian Capital Territory; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011379:Prognosis; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
Australia; health economics; injury; major trauma; patient outcomes