Development of a statewide trauma registry

Abstract

In October 1986, the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) developed a statewide registry. Development concentrated on four major issues: 1) data elements; 2) patient selection; 3) confidential mandatory involvement for trauma centers; and 4) reporting/analysis. The overall compliance of the trauma centers was 81.5%. Documentation of prehospital run times and admission trauma scores were 21% and 70%, respectively. PTSF patients 55 years or older (27.9%) had twice the mortality as younger patients. Falls accounted for 76% of injuries to elderly patients. Finally, 42.6% of survivors had moderate to severe disabilities. Defining the "major trauma patient" is extremely difficult. A registry must have uniform quality data without undue costs. To obtain such data, maintenance of an active registry must be viewed as important as medical care, if organized trauma systems are to remain cost effective.