A novel streamlined trauma response team training improves imaging efficiency for pediatric blunt abdominal trauma patients.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The morbidity and mortality of children with traumatic injuries are directly related to the time to definitive management of their injuries. Imaging studies are used in the trauma evaluation to determine the injury type and severity. The goal of this project is to determine if a formal streamlined trauma response improves efficiency in pediatric blunt trauma by evaluating time to acquisition of imaging studies and definitive management.

METHODS: This study is a chart review of patients <18 years who presented to a pediatric trauma center following blunt trauma requiring trauma team activation. 413 records were reviewed to determine if training changed the efficiency of CT acquisition and 652 were evaluated for FAST efficiency. The metrics used for comparison were time from ED arrival to CT image, FAST, and disposition.

RESULTS: Time from arrival to CT acquisition decreased from 37 (SD 23) to 28 (SD27) min (p < 0.05) after implementation. The proportion of FAST scans increased from 315 (63.5%) to 337 (80.8%) and the time to FAST decreased from 18 (SD15) to 8 (SD10) min (p < 0.05). The time to operating room (OR) decreased after implementation.

CONCLUSION: The implementation of a streamlined trauma team approach is associated with both decreased time to CT, FAST, OR, and an increased proportion of FAST scans in the pediatric trauma evaluation. This could result in the rapid identification of injuries, faster disposition from the ED, and potentially improve outcomes in bluntly injured children.

TYPE OF STUDY: Therapeutic LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.