ABSTRACTS
Pediatric Trauma Team Activations for Motor Vehicle IncidentsAuthor: Morgan Anderson | | Associate Authors: Karen Moore | Douglas G. Butler Jr.
Background The leading cause of pediatric death within the nation and South Carolina (SC) is motor vehicle (MV) accidents. These incidents not only impact car occupants, but also pedestrian and pedal cyclist youth. In the prehospital setting, trauma team activation (TTA) can help reduce morbidity and mortality from severe trauma. The purpose of this study is to identify prevalence of children involved in MV incidents and variables associated with an increased use of a TTA for pediatric MV incidents in South Carolina. Methods
This study utilized deidentified electronic health records from SC emergency medical services (EMS) from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. Incidents included in the analysis were 9-1-1 response, pediatric patients (< 16 Results
In total, SC had 5,658 pediatric prehospital MV trauma-related incidents, with 21% having a TTA documented. Of these trauma activations, 53% were male, 44% were 13 to 16 years old, 93% were transported by ground ambulance, 14% had a total GCS score of ≤ 13, 14% had a critical or 42% emergent initial patient acuity, 51% indicated airbag deployed in vehicle, 30% indicated no restrain usage. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence Intervals (95% CI) for prehospital TTA. There was an increased odds for TTA in patients under 4 years of age of (aOR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.201.86) compared to patients 13 to 16 years; GCS < 13 (aOR = 12.05, 95% CI 8.41-17.26); pedestrians/pedal-cyclists (aOR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.76 Conclusion Pediatrics ≤ 4 years, incidents located in Pee Dee region, GCS < 13, pedestrian/pedal-cyclist, off-road/all-terrain vehicle, or motorcycle riders had higher odds of trauma team activation in South Carolina. A review of South Carolina’s trauma team activation protocol along with patient outcomes may help identify additional criteria that could improve outcomes for pediatrics involved in MV incidents.
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