Pediatric trauma transfer patients have low rates of additional traumatic injuries

Abstract

Background

Pediatric trauma patients often require interfacility transfer for subspecialty management of presumed isolated injuries. Understanding the frequency of additional injury in these low-acuity patients may improve resource utilization.

Methods

Pediatric trauma patients transferred to a level 1 trauma center in 2019 were compared by type of presenting injury in a retrospective review. Primary outcome was additional traumatic injuries identified.

Results

530 pediatric trauma patients were transferred, most commonly for an isolated orthopedic injury (56.5 ​%). The overall rate of additional injuries identified was 2.8 ​%, with the highest rate in patients transferred with neurosurgical injuries (6.7 ​%). When compared to other transfer patients, patients with isolated orthopedic injuries were least likely to have any additional injuries (1.0 ​% vs. 4.8 ​%, p ​= ​0.01).

Conclusions

Pediatric trauma patients transferred with isolated injuries rarely had additional injuries identified after transfer. Streamlining care for this population while maintaining vigilance for missed injuries is a target for future interventions.