Better understanding the utilization of damage control laparotomy: A multi-institutional quality improvement project.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Rates of damage control laparotomy (DCL) vary widely and consensus on appropriate indications does not exist. The purposes of this multicenter quality improvement (QI) project were to decrease the use of DCL and to identify indications where consensus exists. METHODS:In 2016, six US Level I trauma centers performed a yearlong, QI project utilizing a single QI tool: audit and feedback. Each emergent trauma laparotomy was prospectively reviewed. Damage control laparotomy cases were adjudicated based on the majority vote of faculty members as being appropriate or potentially, in retrospect, safe for definitive laparotomy. The rate of DCL for 2 years prior (2014 and 2015) was retrospectively collected and used as a control. To account for secular trends of DCL, interrupted time seri

SUBMITTER: Harvin JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6771434 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature