An analysis of prehospital care of blunt trauma.

Prehospital blunt trauma care in one community was characterized retrospectively by the use of clinical and anatomic indices of injury severity. The predicted number of deaths derived from anatomic indices (Anatomic Index and Injury Severity Score) for patients found alive at the scene was statistically greater than observed. The predicted number of deaths derived from the clinical indices of injury severity (Trauma Index and Trauma Score) was not statistically different than observed. Paramedics recognized all patients with low clinical scores (Trauma Score less than or equal to 13). All such patients received an intravenous attempt and were taken to the hospital by the paramedics rather than by commercial ambulance as was the paramedics' option. Survival correlated with the absence of clinical deterioration during the prehospital phase.