The preventability of trauma-related death: A two-year cohort study in a trauma center in middle Taiwan

• Published in: Injury 2022-09, Vol.53 (9), p.3039-3046
• Main Authors: Wu, Chao-Ying, Chou, Chun-Chih, Hsu, Hao-Chun, Ma, Matthew Huei-Ming, Ho, Yi-Ching, Lin, Chen-Chiang, Chen, Yi-Jung, Chiang, Wen-Chu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Injury severity score; Preventable death rate; Preventable traumatic death; Revised trauma score; Traumatic care quality
• ISSN: 0020-1383; 1879-0267
• DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2022.06.038

•In this 2-year cohort that included cases of 127 trauma-related deaths in a trauma center in central Taiwan, 8 (6.3%), 8 (6.3%), and 111 (87.4%) deaths were categorized as definite preventable, potentially preventable, and non-preventable, respectively, based on trauma and injury severity score (TRISS) and the opinion of a panel.•Among the definite preventable and potentially preventable deaths, pre-defined categories of inadequate infection prevention/control, delayed treatment, delayed diagnosis, and technical error were identified in six (37.5%), five (31.2%), three (18.8%), and two (12.5%) cases, respectively.•The quality of postoperative care is as important as timely diagnosis and treatment for the prevention of trauma-related deaths. The preventable death rate (PDR) is an important parameter in the quality assurance of traumatic care. Medical errors or untimely management may occur during stressful trauma care, resulting in preventable deaths. We aimed to develop an applicable PDR model in a trauma center in middle Taiwan. We identified adult trauma-related deaths which occurred from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019 at our hospital. Patients with a trauma and injury severity score (TRISS)