BACKGROUND: We have previously demonstrated a significant improvement in trauma patient outcome after the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program in Trinidad and Tobago. In January of 1992, a Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) program was also instituted. This study assessed trauma patient outcome after the PHTLS program. METHODS: Morbidity (length of stay and degree of disability), mortality, injury severity score, mechanism of injury, age, and sex among all adult trauma patients transported by ambulance to the major trauma hospital were assessed between July of 1990 to December of 1991 (pre-PHTLS, n = 332) and January of 1994 to June of 1995 (post-PHTLS, n = 350). RESULTS: Age, sex distribution, percentage blunt injury, and injury severity score were similar for both groups. Mortality pre-PHTLS (15.7%) was greater than post-PHTLS (10.6%). Length of stay and disability were statistically significantly decreased post-PHTLS. Age, injury severity score, and mechanism of injury were positively correlated with mortality in both periods. The previously reported post-ATLS mortality was similar to the pre-PHTLS mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Post-PHTLS mortality and morbidity were significantly decreased, suggesting a positive impact of the PHTLS program on trauma patient outcome.
BACKGROUND: We have previously demonstrated a significant improvement in traumapatient outcome after the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program in Trinidad and Tobago. In January of 1992, a Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) program was also instituted. This study assessed traumapatient outcome after the PHTLS program. METHODS: Morbidity (length of stay and degree of disability), mortality, injury severity score, mechanism of injury, age, and sex among all adult traumapatients transported by ambulance to the major trauma hospital were assessed between July of 1990 to December of 1991 (pre-PHTLS, n = 332) and January of 1994 to June of 1995 (post-PHTLS, n = 350). RESULTS: Age, sex distribution, percentage blunt injury, and injury severity score were similar for both groups. Mortality pre-PHTLS (15.7%) was greater than post-PHTLS (10.6%). Length of stay and disability were statistically significantly decreased post-PHTLS. Age, injury severity score, and mechanism of injury were positively correlated with mortality in both periods. The previously reported post-ATLS mortality was similar to the pre-PHTLS mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Post-PHTLS mortality and morbidity were significantly decreased, suggesting a positive impact of the PHTLS program on traumapatient outcome.
Authors: Junaid A Razzak; Syed M Baqir; Uzma Rahim Khan; David Heller; Junaid Bhatti; Adnan A Hyder Journal: Emerg Med J Date: 2013-10-24 Impact factor: 2.740
Authors: C G Wölfl; B Bouillon; C K Lackner; A Wentzensen; B Gliwitzky; B Gross; J Brokmann; T Hauer Journal: Unfallchirurg Date: 2008-09 Impact factor: 1.000
Authors: Lynne Moore; Howard Champion; Pier-Alexandre Tardif; Brice-Lionel Kuimi; Gerard O'Reilly; Ari Leppaniemi; Peter Cameron; Cameron S Palmer; Fikri M Abu-Zidan; Belinda Gabbe; Christine Gaarder; Natalie Yanchar; Henry Thomas Stelfox; Raul Coimbra; John Kortbeek; Vanessa K Noonan; Amy Gunning; Malcolm Gordon; Monty Khajanchi; Teegwendé V Porgo; Alexis F Turgeon; Luke Leenen Journal: World J Surg Date: 2018-05 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: Peter A Meaney; Robert M Sutton; Billy Tsima; Andrew P Steenhoff; Nicole Shilkofski; John R Boulet; Amanda Davis; Andrew M Kestler; Kasey K Church; Dana E Niles; Sharon Y Irving; Loeto Mazhani; Vinay M Nadkarni Journal: Resuscitation Date: 2012-05-03 Impact factor: 5.262