On-scene factors that predict severe injury of patients involved in frontal crashes of passenger cars

Abstract

For passenger cars involved in a frontal crash, intrusion, unbelted status, and DE ≥4 are good predictors of severe injury. Sequential criteria using vehicle DE, seat belt use, and intrusion can be used by first responders to triage patients involved in a frontal collision.

Extrication of patients trapped following a motor vehicle collision: a systematic scoping review of the literature

“…Studies reached different conclusions when considering intrusion alone as a predictor of injury, mortality or trauma system utilisation [140,141]. One paper identified supported the utilisation of intrusion alone in frontal collisions as an indicator of major trauma and as such should feature on major trauma triage tools [142]. A paper from 1996 reported the utility of intrusion of >24 inches as a triage criterion but found other mechanistic criteria were not useful [143].…”