title: First results from a Swiss level I trauma centre participating in the UK Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN): prospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patient characteristics and risk factors for death of Swiss trauma patients in the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive analysis of trauma patients (≥16 years) admitted to a level I trauma centre in Switzerland (September 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010) and entered into TARN. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of 30-day mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 458 patients 71% were male. The median age was 50.5 years (inter-quartile range [IQR] 32.2-67.7), median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 14 (IQR 9-20) and median Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) was 15 (IQR 14-15). The ISS was >15 for 47%, and 14% had an ISS >25. A total of 17 patients (3.7%) died within 30 days of trauma. All deaths were in patients with ISS >15. Most injuries were due to falls <2 m (35%) or road traffic accidents (29%). Injuries to the head (39%) were followed by injuries to the lower limbs (33%), spine (28%) and chest (27%). The time of admission peaked between 12:00 and 22:00, with a second peak between 00:00 and 02:00. A total of 64% of patients were admitted directly to our trauma centre. The median time to CT was 30 min (IQR 18-54 min). Using multivariable regression analysis, the predictors of mortality were older age, higher ISS and lower GCS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Characteristics of Swiss trauma patients derived from TARN were described for the first time, providing a detailed overview of the institutional trauma population. Based on these results, patient management and hospital resources (e.g. triage of patients, time to CT, staffing during night shifts) could be evaluated as a further step.
authors: Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, SWITZERLAND; rebecca.hasler@gmail.com.
authors: Rebecca Maria
authors: RM
authors: Hasler
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Srivastava
authors: Emin
authors: E
authors: Aghayev
authors: Marius Johann
authors: MJ
authors: Keel
authors: Aristomenis Konstantinos
authors: AK
authors: Exadaktylos
authors: Beat
authors: B
authors: Schnüriger
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000401:mortality; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000401:mortality; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality*