Epidemiological characteristics of 13,313 emergency room patients with trauma from 2013 to 2021: a single-centre retrospective study

Abstract

Background This study aimed to analyse the epidemiological characteristics of patients with trauma in the emergency room and provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of trauma. Methods Data on patients with trauma admitted to the emergency room between January 2013 and December 2021, including sex, age, visit time, consciousness, blood pressure, heart rate, detention, patient outcome, and prognosis, were retrospectively analysed. Results A total of 13,313 patients were admitted to the emergency room, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.51:1. Most patients were young and middle-aged, with 8518 patients, accounting for 63.98%. The monthly peak number of patients admitted to the emergency room occurred in July, September, and October, and the peak time was 11:00–21:00. The detention time of patients with trauma in the emergency room showed an extended trend, with 72.2% of patients staying for at least 3 hours in the emergency room. As age increased, the proportion of patients staying in emergency rooms ≥ 3 hours increased gradually. A total of 345 patients (2.6%) died in the emergency room, 4035 patients (30.3%) received surgical treatment, 5082 patients (38.2%) were admitted to a specialised ward for conservative treatment, 2272 patients (17.1) were kept in the emergency room, and 1579 patients (11.9%) were discharged after emergency treatment. Nonconsciousness on admission, systolic blood pressure < 110 mmHg, abnormal diastolic blood pressure, and abnormal heart rate were risk factors for death in patients with trauma in the emergency room. Conclusion The emergency department should reasonably allocate medical resources according to the main population of patients with trauma, peak hours, and peak seasons, and standardise emergency procedures. Emergency medical staff should attach importance to the assessment of patients' consciousness and vital signs and provide active treatment.