Center for Trauma Survivorship Improves Post-Discharge Follow-Up and Retention

Abstract

Loss to follow-up is prevalent in the trauma population. Enhancing survivorship of the severely injured trauma patient depends on increasing post-discharge care. We demonstrate that our Center for Trauma Survivorship significantly improved follow-up rates.

You can’t treat who you don’t see

“… 1 Their data parallel our own data although in a different trauma patient population. 2 3 Taken together, these studies debunk the myths regarding trauma patients not returning and to steal another quote ‘If you build it, they will come’. This study focused on victims of gun violence who are an obvious and very topical target population for comprehensive post-discharge care.…”

Survivorship

“…Telehealth is probably the best way to increase follow-up and could decrease health care disparities in rural trauma care. By doing this, we have also increased total outpatient appointments and follow-up reconstructive surgeries! 12 …”

“…As recently demonstrated, "they" would not come back is patently untrue. 12 Other arguments for not investing in survivorship are who will do it, we do not have the resources, and it costs too much. Patients can and will come back if you tweak the system.…”

“…By doing this, we have also increased total outpatient appointments and follow-up reconstructive surgeries! 12 Who should staff it is another question. We, as trauma surgeons, are ideally suited to build and oversee that structure.…”

“…Of course, since the health care system puts enough roadblocks for our patients to get an appointment, it is no wonder why that nihilism is reinforced. As recently demonstrated, “they” would not come back is patently untrue 12 …”