Factors associated with disability after major trauma

Objectives: The ultimate goal of trauma care is to restore patients to the level of health they enjoyed before injury. This study analyzed the risk factors for physical dysfunction after trauma care. Methods: A Trauma Registry dataset for July 2005 to June 2008, based at a medical center in central Taiwan, was used to analyze the factors related to disability after major trauma by the use of logistic regression models. Results: The probability of disability was increased by several factors: each additional year of age by 0.002 (OR=1.01; CI: 1.00-1.02), being female by 0.085 (OR=1.53; CI: 1.11-2.12), having a Glasgow Coma Score less than 13 by 0.178 (OR=2.37; CI: 1.68-3.35), and an operation or complications during trauma care by 0.260 (OR= 3.97; CI: 2.80-5.61) and 0.227 (OR=2.86; CI: 1.97-4.15), respectively. Conclusions: Evidence from this study supports making appropriate decisions during the initial phase of care. An appropriate decision to activate the cross-specialty trauma team according to risk factors and reducing complications are the most important guidelines for the optimal care of major trauma patients. When properly applied, the trauma registry system is helpful for quality control and the development of quality improvement programs in hospitals.