Admission patterns of stable patients with isolated orthopedic or neurosurgical injuries

Abstract

Although the disposition of stable patients with isolated orthopedic or neurosurgical injuries affects care and resource utilization, no guidelines for optimal admission are available. This study aims to provide the platform for developing such guidelines for these patients by characterizing their admission patterns in trauma centers (TCs). This study is a Web-based survey of Trauma Medical Directors of Level I and Level II American College of Surgeons (ACS)-verified TCs. E-questionnaire was sent to 234 (98%) of 240 ACS-verified Level I and Level II TCs, and 122 (52%) responded. Responses indicate that stable patients with isolated orthopedic injuries and no indication or with an indication for emergent surgery are mostly (58 vs. 31%, p < 0.0001, 59 vs. 37%, p < 0.0001) admitted to the trauma service (TS). Conversely, when surgery was urgent, patients are equally admitted to the TS and orthopedic service (OS). When specific injuries were queried, patients with closed pelvic fractures are mostly admitted to the TS (81 vs. 18%, p < 0.0001), whereas patients with upper extremity injuries are preferentially admitted to the OS (58% vs. 31%, p < 0.05). Patients with isolated lower extremity fractures are equally admitted to the two services. Patients with isolated major traumatic brain injury (TBI) are mostly (78.6% vs. 21.4%, p < 0.0001) admitted to the TS, regardless of the need for emergent surgery. Similarly, most patients with minor TBI are admitted to the TS, independent of the presence of CT scan findings. The majority (73.9% vs. 26.1%, p < 0.0001) of patients with isolated spine injury are admitted to the TS, independent of the level of injury, the presence of multilevel injury, an indication for surgery, or the existence of neurological deficits. Most stable patients with isolated neurosurgical injuries in ACS-verified Level I and Level II TCs are initially admitted to the TS. The admission of patients with isolated orthopedic injuries is selective. These findings can facilitate investigating the clinical, logistical, and financial effect of this practice.