Probability of survival, early critical care process, and resource use in trauma patients

Background: Trauma Injury Severity Score is a frequently used prediction model for mortality. However, few studies have assessed the probability of survival (Ps) and early resource use after trauma. We studied the impact of Ps on early critical care or costs to test its applicability to efficient trauma care. Methods: The relationship between Ps in 8207 trauma patients and patients' demographics, organ injured, comorbidities, use of critical care, and total charges during the initial 48 hours was analyzed using multiple regression analyses. Results: Significant differences were observed among study variables across different Ps. A large variability in total charges was observed and explained by critical care, which Ps was significantly associated with. Conclusions: Trauma Injury Severity Score offers a tool for estimating resource use and might improve monitoring of early trauma care quality. Measuring the combined effect of Trauma Injury Severity Score and injured organs would refine the methodology for evaluating the trauma care system.