Introduction: In Saudi Arabia, road traffic accidents (RTAs) cause about 20 deaths per day and are the leading cause of death among young Saudi men. The aim of our study was to describe the diagnostic and therapeutic care provided to trauma patients admitted to the emergency department of the King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective, hospital record-based study that includes all patients admitted to the emergency department at KAUH between January 2010 and January 2015 due to trauma. We extracted data on demographic characteristics, trauma type, mode of transportation, length of stay in the emergency department, clinical and laboratory investigations, imaging techniques, ward and intensive care unit admission, duration of hospital stay, status at discharge, and type and number of departments involved in patient care.
Results: Between 2010 and 2015, total 111 trauma patients were assessed in the emergency department(ER); their mean age was 26.54 ± 18.09 years, 79.3% (n= 88) were males, and 56.8% (n= 63) were non-natives. Blood tests and radiological imaging were conducted in 106 (95.5%) and 97 (87.4%) patients, respectively. Subsequently, 96 (86.5%) patients were admitted to various wards, 9 (8.1%) were discharged, and 5 (4.5%) died (2 in the ER, 3 in the ICU). Further, 34 (30.6%) patients were eventually admitted to the ICU. The mean duration of hospital stay was 11.15±16.01 days, and the mode of transport to the hospital was not documented for 69 (62.2%) patients.
Conclusion: Trauma causalities pose a significant threat to population health and may drain healthcare resources. Prevention strategies are warranted to reduce injuries, deaths, and disabilities. Currently, trauma care at and accessibility to, the KAUH is suboptimal for trauma victims.
Keywords: Trauma system assessment, Acute Surgery Care, Road traffic accident.
