4 research outputs found
Interfacility transfers in a non-trauma system setting: an assessment of the Greek reality
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Quality assessment of any trauma system involves the evaluation of the transferring patterns. This study aims to assess interfacility transfers in the absence of a formal trauma system setting and to estimate the benefits from implementing a more organized structure.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The 'Report of the Epidemiology and Management of Trauma in Greece' is a one year project of trauma patient reporting throughout the country. It provided data concerning the patterns of interfacility transfers. We compared the transferred patient group to the non transferred patient group. Information reviewed included patient and injury characteristics, need for an operation, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admittance and mortality. Analysis employed descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Interfacility transfers were then assessed according to each health care facility's availability of five requirements; Computed Tomography scanner, ICU, neurosurgeon, orthopedic and vascular surgeon.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Data on 8,524 patients were analyzed; 86.3% were treated at the same facility, whereas 13.7% were transferred. Transferred patients tended to be younger, male, and more severely injured than non transferred patients. Moreover, they were admitted to ICU more often, had a higher mortality rate but were less operated on compared to non transferred patients. The 34.3% of transfers was from facilities with none of the five requirements, whereas the 12.4% was from those with one requirement. Low level facilities, with up to three requirements transferred 43.2% of their transfer volume to units of equal resources.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Trauma management in Greece results in a high number of transfers. Patients are frequently transferred between low level facilities. Better coordination could lead to improved outcomes and less cost.</p
Interfacility transfers in a non-trauma system setting: an assessment of the Greek reality
Background: Quality assessment of any trauma system involves the
evaluation of the transferring patterns. This study aims to assess
interfacility transfers in the absence of a formal trauma system setting
and to estimate the benefits from implementing a more organized
structure.
Methods: The ‘Report of the Epidemiology and Management of Trauma in
Greece’ is a one year project of trauma patient reporting throughout the
country. It provided data concerning the patterns of interfacility
transfers. We compared the transferred patient group to the non
transferred patient group. Information reviewed included patient and
injury characteristics, need for an operation, Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
admittance and mortality. Analysis employed descriptive statistics and
Chi-square test. Interfacility transfers were then assessed according to
each health care facility’s availability of five requirements; Computed
Tomography scanner, ICU, neurosurgeon, orthopedic and vascular surgeon.
Results: Data on 8,524 patients were analyzed; 86.3% were treated at
the same facility, whereas 13.7% were transferred. Transferred patients
tended to be younger, male, and more severely injured than non
transferred patients. Moreover, they were admitted to ICU more often,
had a higher mortality rate but were less operated on compared to non
transferred patients. The 34.3% of transfers was from facilities with
none of the five requirements, whereas the 12.4% was from those with
one requirement. Low level facilities, with up to three requirements
transferred 43.2% of their transfer volume to units of equal resources.
Conclusion: Trauma management in Greece results in a high number of
transfers. Patients are frequently transferred between low level
facilities. Better coordination could lead to improved outcomes and less
cost