Accrediting new Level II and Level III trauma centers reduced the trauma patient census at a Level I trauma center in Pennsylvania, according to a research brief publishing this month in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. However, the mortality rate of patients at the Level I center decreased.
The study examined 10 years of monthly trauma patient volumes at a Pennsylvania Level I trauma center. During the second half of that period, the state accredited one Level II trauma center and three Level III trauma centers within 46 miles. “Ultimately, the Level I center treated 1,903 fewer patients than expected over 51 months, an 11.9% volume reduction, and patient severity remained consistent but mortality decreased.”
The authors of the study note that regional systems need to plan strategically to balance the goals of rapid care with maintaining adequate patient volumes at top-level trauma centers. Read Abstract