Severe Trauma Presenting to the Resuscitation Room of a Hong Kong Emergency Department

Abstract

Background Little is known about the epidemiology or mortality associated with trauma in Hong Kong or of its demands on the service of emergency departments. This study describes both the quantity and quality of trauma presenting to an emergency department in Hong Kong. Methods In a retrospective study conducted from January to June 1997 there were 100,000 new patient attendances at the emergency department of the Prince of Wales Hospital of which 227 trauma patients (0.002%) were triaged to the Resuscitation Room. Patient records were scrutinised for types and mechanisms of injury, times of injury and arrival at the emergency department, role of alcohol, and scored using an injury severity score. Important outcomes were mortality and duration of hospital stay. Results Data was available on 221 (97%) subjects (male to female ratio 3.7:1) of which there were 203 adults and 18 children. Blunt injury accounted for 199/215 (92.6%) cases and penetrating for 16/215 (7.4%) cases. Motor vehicle crashes accounted for 113/205 (55%) cases, falls for 47/205 (23%) cases and assault for 18/205 (9%) cases. 51/224 (23%) cases presented between the hours of midnight and 8 am. The median injury severity score (ISS) was 9 (mean 11; range 1–59). 32/227 (14%) patients died, the majority resulting from road traffic accidents or falls. Conclusion Patterns of ‘severe’ trauma in Hong Kong primarily affect male adults, include a preponderance of motor vehicle crashes and falls, and significant mortality.