Is higher-level trauma center care associated with better outcomes in patients injured by low-energy trauma?

Background In high-income countries trauma patients are becoming older, more likely to have comorbidities, and are being injured by low-energy mechanisms, chiefly ground-level falls. It is currently unknown whether existing trauma systems improve the outcomes of these patients. This systematic review investigates the association between higher-level trauma center care and outcomes of adult patients who were admitted to hospital due to injuries sustained following low-energy trauma. Methods A pre-registered systematic review (CRD42020211652) of subject databases and grey literature, supplemented by targeted manual searching, was conducted in January 2021. Studies were eligible if they reported outcomes in adults admitted to hospital due to low-energy trauma. Studies were excluded if participants were not adults or were not admitted to hospital. Studies in lower- and middle-income settings were excluded due to differences in demographics and healthcare systems. Risk of bias was assessed by independent reviewers using the Robins-I tool. In the presence of study heterogeneity a narrative synthesis was pre-specified. Results Three observational studies were included from 2,898 unique records. The studies' risk of bias was moderate-to-serious due to potential residual confounding and selection bias. All studies compared outcomes among adults injured by ground-level falls treated in trauma centers verified by the American College of Surgeons in the USA. The studies reported divergent results. One demonstrated improved outcomes in level 3 or 4 trauma centers (Observed: Expected Mortality 0.973, 95%CI 0.971-0.975), one demonstrated improved outcomes in level 1 trauma centers (Adjusted Odds Ratio 0.71, 95%CI 0.56-0.91), and one demonstrated no difference between level 1 or 2 and level 3 or 4 trauma center care (Adjusted Odds Ratio 0.91 (0.80-1.04). Conclusions There is currently no strong evidence for the efficacy of major trauma centers in caring for adult patients injured by a ground-level fall. Further studies at lower risk of bias and studies conducted outwith the USA are required.