A study carried out by doctors at UHG has revealed the changing face of trauma patients – with a doubling of cases and older patient profile emerging over the course of a decade.

Based on critical care data from UHG, the study looked at the characteristics of trauma patients, the nature of their injuries and trends in mortality rates over a ten-year period.

In all, 709 major trauma patient admissions between 2010 and 2021 were reviewed as part of the study; major trauma is defined as serious injury with the potential of causing death and disability.

UHG Consultant Anaesthesiologist and lead author of the study Dr Ciara Hanley revealed that over the decade, trauma cases doubled, and patients aged 65 and older accounted for 45.7% of all admissions.

“Within this older cohort, 47.5% of patients are aged 80 and over. The study found that the majority of these older patients had good outcomes overall; most of them underwent surgical intervention and were discharged from critical care within 48 hours,” she said.

The study revealed that 97.6% of cases had blunt force trauma injuries caused by either a fall (45.4%) or road traffic accident (29.2%).

It also found that orthopaedic, thoracic and spinal trauma were the most frequent organ systems injured (53%, 37% and 32.5% respectively).

Admissions are predominately male, with an overall mean of 68.4% – and frailty has a significant adverse impact in older patients including increased 30-day mortality, increased incidence of complications, delayed discharge, and increased readmission rates  And this older patient profile aligns with international patterns, according to Dr Hanley.

“Trauma remains one of the commonest causes of death and disability worldwide. Over the last decade, we have seen a significant change in the pattern and demographic of major trauma presenting to our centre, and in those requiring critical care input,” she said.

The study also underlined the high-quality specialist care delivered by the critical care team in UHG which is a designated TUSS (Trauma Unit with Specialist Services).

A total of 400 patients underwent surgical treatment at our regional site – and only 51 patients required an inter-hospital transfer for specialist management not provided in UHG.

Dr Alan Hussey, Clinical Director of Saolta’s Perioperative Directorate said that the data showed the volume and complexity of trauma work that UHG manages.

Pictured: The hospital’s Emergency Department: The study revealed that 97.6% of cases had blunt force trauma injuries caused by either a fall or road traffic accident.