Undertriage of Elderly Trauma Patients to State-Designated Trauma Centers

摘要: Objective To determine whether age bias is a factor in triage errors. Design Retrospective analysis of 10 years (1995-2004) prospectively collected data the statewide Maryland Ambulance Information System followed by surveys emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma center personnel at regional EMS conferences level I centers, respectively. Patients Trauma patients were defined as those who met American College Surgeons physiology, injury, and/or mechanism criteria subjectively declared priority status personnel. Main Outcome Measure Undertriage, when not transported to state-designated center. Results The registry identified 26 565 patients. undertriage rate was significantly higher aged 65 or older than younger (49.9% vs 17.8%, P Conclusions Even recognized acknowledged EMS, providers are consistently less likely consider transporting elderly Unconscious bias, both field receiving personnel, possible cause.