Trauma recidivism in a Canadian province: a 14-year registry review.

CLINICIAN'S CAPSULEWhat is known about the topic?Trauma recidivism rates range from 1% to 44%, yet the rate of major trauma recidivism is unknown at a provincial level.What did this study ask?What is the rate of major trauma recidivism in Nova Scotia, and what factors are associated with recidivism and mortality?What did this study find?Major trauma recidivism was infrequent; however, the adjusted odds of mortality were over three times greater for recidivists.Why does this study matter to clinicians?Screening and brief intervention in cases of major trauma involving violence or substance abuse may help reduce rates of recidivism.