• V Albrecht, N Schäfer, E K Stürmer, A Driessen, L Betsche, M Schenk, and M Maegele.
• Institute for Research in Operative Medicine (IFOM), Witten/Herdecke University, Campus Cologne-Merheim, Ostmerheimer Str. 200, House 38, 51109, Cologne, Germany. verena.albrecht@uni-wh.de.
• Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2017 Apr 1; 43 (2): 201-214.

PurposeEarly detection and management of trauma haemorrhage and coagulopathy have been associated with improved outcomes. We assessed infrastructure, logistics and management practice of trauma-associated haemorrhage and coagulopathy across German trauma centres.MethodsA web-based survey of 20 questions was developed using the open source survey application LimeSurvey®. It was disseminated among surgeons and anaesthetists in Germany.Results145 Questionnaires were returned of which 106 were completed and analysed. Two-thirds of the respondents declared they worked in level I trauma centres. Only 61 % followed a treatment algorithm. Over 90 % used standard laboratory and coagulation tests for decision-making. 56.6 % declared they additionally used extended coagulation assays (TEG/ROTEM). Packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelet concentrates, prothrombin complex concentrates, tranexamic acid, calcium, fibrinogen and vitamin K were used by more than 85 % of the respondents for the initial treatment. In all hospitals, irrespective of care level, the first blood product was administered in less than 30 min upon patient arrival (49 % <15 min, 48.1 % <30 min). New oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were identified as an increasing problem in today`s trauma care (>95 %) and 65 % of the respondents necessitated reliable tests for early risk stratification. 57.6 % necessitated interdisciplinary training programs to improve clinical skills.ConclusionsThere is variation in the local infrastructure, logistics and management of trauma haemorrhage and coagulopathy across German trauma centres. More than one-third of the respondents declare they do not consistently follow a treatment algorithm. NOACs are considered as an increasing problem in acute trauma care.

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