“Who is the right patient?” Insights into decisions to transfer pediatric trauma patients
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Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Feb 2020 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
Survey study examining physician decision-making factors for transferring pediatric trauma patients from Level III centers to specialized pediatric trauma centers. Analysis of 201 physician responses identified key injury parameters—pelvic/GI injuries and Glasgow Coma Scale—that influence transfer decisions, revealing variation in triage practices.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Objective
We aim to determine what variables may influence physician decision-making about transfer of pediatric patients from a Level III Trauma Center (L3TC) to a Pediatric Trauma Center (PTC).
Methods
Emergency L3TC physicians and PTC emergency physicians/TTLs were surveyed with clinical scenarios of children presenting to a L3TC with 5 injury parameters: age, hemodynamic status, GCS, intra-abdominal injury, femur/ pelvic fracture, and asked if the patient should be transferred to a PTC. Associations between parameters and physician demographics in the decision to transfer were examined.
Results
One hundred seven and 94 surveys were completed at L3TCs and PTCs, respectively. Parameters associated with decision to transfer: pelvic and GI tract injuries, GCS