Benchmarking outcomes in the critically injured trauma patient and the effect of implementing standard operating procedures.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine and compare outcomes with accepted benchmarks in trauma care at 7 academic level I trauma centers in which patients were treated on the basis of a series of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Background

Injury remains the leading cause of death for those younger than 45 years. This study describes the baseline patient characteristics and well-defined outcomes of persons hospitalized in the United States for severe blunt trauma.

Methods

We followed 1637 trauma patients from 2003 to 2009 up to 28 hospital days using SOPs developed at the onset of the study. An extensive database on patient and injury characteristics, clinical treatment, and outcomes was created. These data were compared with existing trauma benchmarks.

Results

The study

SUBMITTER: Cuschieri J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3327791 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature