An Innovative Civilian Research Model to Inform Combat-Relevant Prolonged Casualty Care.

Prolonged Casualty Care (PCC) is a major US military research focus area. PCC is defined as the need to provide patient care for extended periods when evacuation or mission requirements surpass capabilities and/or capacity. US military experts have called for more data relevant to PCC. In response, we aimed to develop an innovative research model using a tiered system of trauma care in the Western Cape of South Africa as a framework for studying relevant US military trauma care and outcomes in a natural prolonged care environment. The objective of this report is to describe the research model and to illustrate how various components of the model may be helpful to provide data relevant to US military PCC. To develop the model, we used a combination of published data, open access reports, and expert opinion to identify, define, and compare relevant components of the Western Cape trauma system suitable for researching aspects of US military PCC. Several key features of the research model are as follows: In the Western Cape, patients are referred from primary and secondary to tertiary facilities (analogous to escalating capabilities by advancing roles of care in the US military). Western Cape civilian trauma providers' capabilities range from prehospital basic life support to definitive trauma surgical and critical care (comparable to US military Tactical Combat Casualty Care to advanced definitive surgical care). Patterns of injuries (e.g., high rates of penetrating trauma and hemorrhagic shock) and prolonged times from injury to definitive surgical care in the Western Cape system have relevance to the US military. This civilian research model for studying PCC is promising and can inform US military research. Importantly, this model also fills gaps in the South African civilian system and is useful for other prolonged trauma care communities worldwide.

Defining Combat-Relevant Endpoints for Early Trauma Resuscitation Research in a Resource-Constrained Civilian Setting.

INTRODUCTION: Studies assessing early trauma resuscitation have used long-term endpoints, such as 28- or 30-day mortality or Glasgow Outcomes Scores at 6-months. These endpoints are convenient but may not accurately reflect the effect of early resuscitation. We sought expert opinion and consensus on endpoints and definitions of variables needed to conduct a Department of Defense- (DoD) funded study to epidemiologically assess combat-relevant mortality and morbidity due to timeliness of resuscitation among critically injured civilians internationally. METHODS: We conducted an online modified Delphi process with an international panel of civilian and US military experts. In several iterative rounds, experts reviewed background information, appraised relevant scientific evidence, provided comments, and rendered a vote on each variable. A-priori, we set consensus at ≥80% concordant votes. RESULTS: Twenty panelists participated with a 100% response rate. Eight items were presented, with the following outputs for the epidemiologic study: Assess mortality within 7-days of injury; assess multi-organ failure using SOFA scores measured early (at day 3) and late (at day 7); assess traumatic brain injury mortality early (≤7-days) and late (28-days); hybrid (anatomic and physiologic) injury severity scoring is optimal; capture comorbidities per the US National Trauma Data Standard list with specific additions; assign resuscitative interventions to one of five standardized phases of trauma care; and, use a novel trauma death categorization system. CONCLUSIONS: A modified Delphi process yielded expert-ratified definitions and endpoints of variables necessary to conduct a combat-relevant epidemiologic study assessing outcomes due to early trauma resuscitation. Outputs may also benefit other groups conducting trauma resuscitation research.

Experience of two first level hospitals in the southwest region of Colombia on the implementation of the Panamerican Trauma Society International Trauma Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To describes the experience in the implementation of a TRS in two hospitals in Cali, Colombia. METHODS: The TRS includes prehospitalary, during hospitalization and discharging status information of each patient. Each hospital has an electronic data capture strategy. A three month Pilot-period descriptive analysis is presented. RESULTS: 3293 patients has been registered, 1626 (49.4%) from the Public hospital and 1613 (50.6%) from the Private one. 67.2% were men; the mean age ±SD was 30.5±20 years; 30.5% were less than 18 years. The overall mortality rate was 3.5%. The most frequent consulting cause were falls (33.7%); 11.6% of injuries are secondary to fire gunshot, and this group where mortality rate was 62%. CONCLUSION: It was determined the needing for the TRS implementation and the mechanisms to provide continuity. The registry becomes an information source for the investigation developing. It was identified the causes of consult, morbidity and death due to trauma that will allow a better planning of the emergency services and of the regional trauma system in order to optimize and reduce the attention costs. Based on optimal information system it will be able to present the necessary adjusts to redesign the Trauma and Emergencies Attention System in the Colombian South-West.

Experiencia en dos hospitales de tercer nivel de atención del suroccidente de Colombia en la aplicación del Registro Internacional de Trauma de la Sociedad Panamericana de Trauma / Experience of two first level hospitals in the southwest region of Colombia on the implementation of the Panamerican Trauma Society International Trauma Registry

OBJETIVO: Describir la experiencia en la implementación de un Sistema de Registro de Trauma (SRT) en dos hospitales en Cali, Colombia. MÉTODOS: El SRT incluye información prehospitalaria, hospitalaria y estatus de egreso del paciente. Cada hospital tiene una estrategia para la captura electrónica de datos. Se presenta un análisis descriptivo exploratorio durante un piloto de tres meses. RESULTADOS: Se han registrado 3293 pacientes, 1626(49.4%) del Hospital Público y 1613(50.6%) en el Privado. 67.2% fueron hombres; edad promedio 30,5±20 años, 30,5% menores de 18 años. Mortalidad global 3,52 %. Causa más frecuente de consulta fueron las caídas (33,7%); 11.6% fueron heridas por arma de fuego, la mortalidad en este grupo fue del 44.7%. CONCLUSIÓN: Se determinaron las necesidades para la implementación del SRT y los mecanismos para darle continuidad. El registro se convierte en una fuente de información para el desarrollo de la investigación. Se identificaron las causas de consulta, morbilidad y muerte por trauma que permitirá una mejor planeación de los servicios de urgencias y del sistema regional de trauma con el fin de optimizar y de reducir los costos de atención. A partir de este sistema de información de trauma se podrán plantear los ajustes indispensables para rediseñar el sistema de trauma y emergencias del suroccidente colombiano.

OBJECTIVE: To describes the experience in the implementation of a TRS in two hospitals in Cali, Colombia. METHODS: The TRS includes prehospitalary, during hospitalization and discharging status information of each patient. Each hospital has an electronic data capture strategy. A three month Pilot-period descriptive analysis is presented. RESULTS: 3293 patients has been registered, 1626 (49.4%) from the Public hospital and 1613 (50.6%) from the Private one. 67.2% were men; the mean age ±SD was 30.5±20 years; 30.5% were less than 18 years. The overall mortality rate was 3.5%. The most frequent consulting cause were falls (33.7%); 11.6% of injuries are secondary to fire gunshot, and this group where mortality rate was 62%. CONCLUSION: It was determined the needing for the TRS implementation and the mechanisms to provide continuity. The registry becomes an information source for the investigation developing. It was identified the causes of consult, morbidity and death due to trauma that will allow a better planning of the emergency services and of the regional trauma system in order to optimize and reduce the attention costs. Based on optimal information system it will be able to present the necessary adjusts to redesign the Trauma and Emergencies Attention System in the Colombian South-West.