An analysis of the risk factors in the mortality of casualties: data from eight hospitals in Zhejiang province

Abstract

Objective To explore risk factors in the mortality of casualties and to find a way to improve trauma emergency service. Method The possible factors likely related to the mortality of casualties were taken into account based on each stage of trauma emergency so as to find the independent risk factors by using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results A total of 3 659 casualties were enrolled in this study.Of them, 226 casualties died and the mortality rate was 6.18%. Following factors were related to mortality after univariate analysis: age, cause of trauma, injury severity score, Glasgow come scale come on the scene, professional emergency treatment on the scene, intubation in the ambulance, debridement and hemostasis in the ambulance, low blood pressure at admission, closed drainage of pleural cavity, emergency operation, CVP monitoring in ICU and mechanical ventilation in ICU. After multivariate analysis, six factors were independently related to the mortality of casualties as follows: Glasgow coma scale, injury severity score, mechanical ventilation, blood pressure at admission, age and professional emergency treatment on the scene. Conclusions It has a great significance to investigate the risk factors of mortality for casualties. Severity of trauma and age were independently associated with the outcomes of trauma. Besides, improving prehospital care and stabilizing the trauma patients in early phase can further decrease the mortality. Key words: Trauma; Mortality; Risk factor; Pre-hospital emergency treatment; Shock