Data from: Implementation of new standard operating procedures for geriatric trauma patients with multiple injuries: a single level I trauma centre study

Background The demographic changes towards ageing of the populations in
developed countries impose a challenge to trauma centres, as geriatric
trauma patients require specific diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
This study investigated whether the integration of new standard operating
procedures (SOPs) for the resuscitation room (ER) has an impact on the
clinical course in geriatric patients. The new SOPs were designed for
severely injured adult trauma patients, based on the Advanced Trauma Life
Support (ATLS) and imply early whole-body computed tomography (CT), damage
control surgery, and the use of goal-directed coagulation management.
Methods Single-centre cohort study. We included all patients ≥ 65
years of age with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 9 who were admitted to
our hospital primarily via ER. A historic cohort was compared to a cohort
after the implementation of the new SOPs. Results We enrolled 311 patients
who met the inclusion criteria between 2000–2006 (group PreSOP) and
2010–2012 (group SOP). There was a significant reduction in the mortality
rate after the implementation of the new SOPs (P = .001). This benefit was
seen only for severely injured patients (ISS ≥ 16), but not for moderately
injured patients (ISS 9–15). There were no differences with regard to
infection rates or rate of palliative care. Conclusions We found an
association between implementation of new ER SOPs, and a lower mortality
rate in severely injured geriatric trauma patients, whereas moderately
injured patients did not obtain the same benefit.