Implementation of a rib fracture triage protocol in elderly trauma patients

• Published in: Journal of trauma nursing Vol. 20; no. 4; p. 172
• Main Authors: Sahr, Sheryl M, Webb, Michael L, Renner, Catherine Hackett, Sokol, Rachael K, Swegle, James R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.2013
• Subjects: Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data; Accidents, Traffic - statistics & numerical data; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chi-Square Distribution; Critical Care - methods; Critical Pathways; Female; Geriatric Assessment; Hospital Mortality - trends; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Injury Severity Score; Length of Stay; Male; Multiple Trauma - diagnosis; Multiple Trauma - mortality; Multiple Trauma - therapy; Patient Care Planning - standards; Retrospective Studies; Rib Fractures - diagnosis; Rib Fractures - mortality; Rib Fractures - therapy; Risk Assessment; Survival Rate; Trauma Centers; Treatment Outcome; Triage - standards
• ISSN: 1078-7496
• DOI: 10.1097/JTN.0000000000000008

Elderly patients are highly susceptible to rib fractures after trauma. The use of a clinical pathway to determine resource allocation for patients with rib fractures has resulted in positive treatment outcomes. This retrospective study assessed the efficacy of a triage protocol involving trauma services on hospital length of stay in elderly patients with fractured ribs. Patients who had 3 or more ribs fractured experienced a statistically significant reduction in hospital length of stay after protocol implementation. We conclude that elderly patients with 3 or more rib fractures should be systematically referred to a trauma specialist.