Evaluation of trauma patients admitted to emergency department according to triage categories

Abstract

Aim: In our study, we aimed to evaluate the trauma patients who were admitted to Department of Emergency Medicine, Uludag University Hospital for demographic characteristics, triage categories, and necessity of a third-level emergency service.Materials and Methods: Data of the trauma patients admitted between November 1, 2012 and November 1, 2013 were selected by a retrospective systematic sampling. The patient age, sex, admission date, trauma mechanism, body part affected by trauma, and triage categories have been recorded.Results: In all, 3251 patients were included. Most cases were men (66%); the age of trauma exposure was 18-64 years age. Most patients were admitted between April and June, and the most frequent mechanism of trauma was sprain and crush. The hospital admission rate is higher in triages 1 and 2, and discharge rates were higher in triages 4 and 5.Conclusion: To determine the severity of the trauma patients that comprised a special group in the emergency department, triage categories can be effectively used. Considering emergency admissions, 80.4% were not found to be emergent patients group, and these patients should be referred to outpatient clinics.