Dataset Information

Identifying temporal patterns in trauma admissions: Informing resource allocation.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Increased knowledge of the temporal patterns in the distribution of trauma admissions could be beneficial to staffing and resource allocation efforts. However, little work has been done to understand how this distribution varies based on patient acuity, trauma mechanism or need for intervention. We hypothesize that temporal patterns exist in the distribution of trauma admissions, and that deep patterns exist when traumas are analyzed by their type and severity. STUDY DESIGN:We conducted a cross-sectional observational study of adult patient flow at a level one trauma center over three years, 7/1/2013-6/30/2016. Primary thermal injuries were excluded. Frequency analysis was performed for patients grouped by ED disposition and mechanism against timing of admission; in subgroup analysis additional exclusion criteria were imposed. RESULTS:10,684 trauma contacts were analyzed. Trauma contacts were more frequent on Saturdays and Sundays than on weekdays (p<0.001). Peak arrival time was centered around evening shift change (6-7pm), but differed based on ED disposition: OR and ICU or Step-Down admissions (p = 0.0007), OR and floor admissions (p<0.0001), and ICU or Step-Down and floor admissions (p<0.0001). Step-Down and ICU arrival times (p = 0.42) were not different. Penetrating injuries peaked later than blunt (p<0.0001). Trauma varies throughout the year; we establish a high incidence trauma season (April to late October). Different mechanisms have varying dependence upon season; Motorcycle crashes (MCCs) have the greatest dependence. CONCLUSION:We identify new patterns in the temporal and seasonal variation of trauma and of specific mechanisms of injury, including the novel findings that 1) penetrating trauma tends to present at later times than blunt, and 2) critically ill patients requiring an OR tend to present later than those who are less acute and require an ICU or Step-Down unit. These patients present later than those who are admitted to the floor. Penetrating trauma patients arriving later than blunt may be the underlying reason why operative patients arrive later than other patients.

SUBMITTER: Stonko DP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6277067 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Identifying temporal patterns in trauma admissions: Informing resource allocation.

Stonko David P DP Dennis Bradley M BM Callcut Rachael A RA Betzold Richard D RD Smith Michael C MC Medvecz Andrew J AJ Guillamondegui Oscar D OD

PloS one 20181203 12

<h4>Background</h4>Increased knowledge of the temporal patterns in the distribution of trauma admissions could be beneficial to staffing and resource allocation efforts. However, little work has been done to understand how this distribution varies based on patient acuity, trauma mechanism or need for intervention. We hypothesize that temporal patterns exist in the distribution of trauma admissions, and that deep patterns exist when traumas are analyzed by their type and severity.<h4>Study design ...[more]

PMID: 30507930

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Project description:BackgroundVariations in admission patterns have been previously identified in non-elective surgical services, but minimal data on the subject exists with respect to burn admissions. Improved understanding of the temporal pattern of burn admissions could inform resource utilization and clinical staffing. We hypothesize that burn admissions have a predictable temporal distribution with regard to the time of day, day of week, and season of year in which they present.Study designA retrospective, cohort observational study of a single burn center from 7/1/2016 to 3/31/2021 was performed on all admissions to the burn surgery service. Demographics, burn characteristics, and temporal data of burn admissions were collected. Bivariate absolute and relative frequency data was captured and plotted for all patients who met inclusion criteria. Heat-maps were created to visually represent the relative admission frequency by time of day and day of week. Frequency analysis grouped by total body surface area against time of day and relative encounters against day of year was performed.Results2213 burn patient encounters were analyzed, averaging 1.28 burns per day. The nadir of burn admissions was from 07:00 and 08:00, with progressive increase in the rate of admissions over the day. Admissions peaked in the 15:00 hour and then plateaued until midnight (p<0.001). There was no association between day of week in the burn admission distribution (p>0.05), though weekend admissions skewed slightly later (p = 0.025). No annual, cyclical trend in burn admissions was identified, suggesting that there is no predictable seasonality to burn admissions, though individual holidays were not assessed.ConclusionTemporal variations in burn admissions exist, including a peak admission window late in the day. Furthermore, we did not find a predictable annual pattern to use in guiding staffing and resource allocation. This differs from findings in trauma, which identified admission peaks on the weekends and an annual cycle that peaks in spring and summer.

Project description:BackgroundUnderstanding temporal patterns of organ dysfunction (OD) may aid early recognition of complications after trauma and assist timing and modality of treatment strategies. Our aim was to analyse and characterise temporal patterns of OD in intensive care unit-admitted trauma patients.MethodsWe used group-based trajectory modelling to identify temporal trajectories of OD after trauma. Modelling was based on the joint development of all six subdomains comprising the sequential organ failure assessment score measured daily during the first two weeks post trauma. Further, the time for trajectories to stabilise and transition to final group assignments were evaluated.ResultsSix-hundred and sixty patients were included in the final model. Median age was 40 years, and median ISS was 26 (IQR 17-38). We identified five distinct trajectories of OD. Group 1, mild OD (n = 300), median ISS of 20 (IQR 14-27), had an early resolution of OD and a low mortality. Group 2, moderate OD (n = 135), and group 3, severe OD (n = 87), were fairly similar in admission characteristics and initial OD but differed in subsequent OD trajectories, the latter experiencing an extended course and higher mortality. In group 3, 56% of the patients developed sepsis as compared with 19% in group 2. Group 4, extreme OD (n = 40), received most blood transfusions, had the highest proportion of shock at admission and a median ISS of 41 (IQR 29-50). They experienced significant and sustained OD affecting all organ systems and a 28-day mortality of 30%. Group 5, traumatic brain injury with OD (n = 98), had the highest mortality of 35% and the shortest time to death for non-survivors, median 3.5 (IQR 2.4-4.8) days. Groups 1 and 5 reached their final group assignment early, > 80% of the patients within 48 h. In contrast, groups 2 and 3 had a prolonged time to final group assignment.ConclusionsWe identified five distinct trajectories of OD after severe trauma during the first two weeks post-trauma. Our findings underline the heterogeneous course after trauma and describe some potentially important clinical insights that are suggested by the groupings and temporal trajectories.

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Identifying temporal patterns in trauma admissions: Informing resource allocation.

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Identifying temporal patterns in trauma admissions: Informing resource allocation.

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