Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- Farzad Bozorgi 1
- Farzane Doodiyan 2
- Shiv Kumar Mudgal 3
- Vipin Patidar 3
- Iraj Goli Khatir 4
- Mohammad Sazgar 5
- Zohreh Hosseini Marznaki 6
- Fatemeh Hosseini Aghamalaki 7
- Seyed Mohammad Hosseininejad 8
1 Department of Emergency Medicine, Orthopedic research center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
2 Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
3 College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, Jharkhand, India
4 Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
5 Department of Emergency Medicine, Razi Clinical Research Development, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
6 Imam Ali Hospital at Amol City, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
7 Yahya Nejad Hospital at Babol City, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
8 Department of Emergency Medicine, Got and Liver research center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics, clinical outcomes, and emergency department (ED) utilization patterns among trauma patients in northern Iran.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in northern Iran from January 2021 to December 2023. Systematic random selection was used to choose 2,350 trauma patients from the hospital’s electronic health record (EHR) system. Data regarding demographic, trauma-related characteristics, clinical outcomes, and ED utilization were extracted from the EHR. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses, including Chi-square and independent t-tests, were used to examine factors associated with patient outcomes. Results: Trauma-related mortality was significantly associated with the 19–39-year age group, marital status, severe head injury (indicated by a low Glasgow Coma Scale score), driver status, and early-morning accidents (all p<0.001). Prolonged ED length of stay (LOS; >6 hours) was significantly associated with therapeutic procedures, including fracture immobilization, fixation, wound dressing, arterial blood gas analysis, and oxygen therapy. Conversely, diagnostic imaging (CT scans and sonography) showed no significant independent effect on ED LOS. The most common ED interventions were fracture immobilization (96.8%), sonography (85.1%), and CT scans (77.5%). Prolonged LOS in the ED was strongly associated with therapeutic procedures such as fixation, wound dressing, arterial blood gas analysis, and oxygen therapy, whereas diagnostic imaging showed no significant effect.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the necessity for targeted preventive measures aimed at young adult drivers and the expeditious delivery of therapeutic interventions, such as wound care and fracture immobilization, to reduce ED LOS. These region-specific insights regarding emergency service utilization are essential for trauma system planning in resource-limited settings.
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