Injury
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We aim to explore and target factors contributing to disparities in trauma-care outcomes between urban vs rural trauma centers including EMS protocols, trauma centers' (TC) distribution, infrastructure, and hospital resources. ⋯ Rural trauma patients often experience worse outcomes than their urban counterparts, possibly due to longer prehospital times, reduced TC access, and less specialized care. The designation of targeted Level III TCs in rural areas has been associated with improved outcomes. In contrast, unregulated TC expansion has not necessarily enhanced access or outcomes for rural patients.
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The routine collection of long-term patient health outcomes after serious traumatic injury at the health service level is uncommon. In 2019, we implemented the longitudinal Trauma Service Follow Up (TSFU) program at a level I trauma centre. Delivered by the trauma service clinicians involved in inpatient care, it assesses quality of life and disability. This study reports the 6- and 12-month outcomes of the first two years of operation of the TSFU program. ⋯ Persistent impairments in physical and emotional health continues to affect many people following serious traumatic injury. The collection of longitudinal health outcomes by trauma clinicians enables identification of factors that contribute to disability and a reduction in quality of life. This in turn can drive quality improvement initiatives within the hospital trauma system. Longitudinal follow-up programs may provide a platform to provide ongoing specialist trauma-informed care after hospital discharge.