Multidisciplinary Patient Management Improves Mortality in Geriatric Trauma Patients

Abstract

Improvement in the care of the traumatically injured patient should be a goal at all trauma centers. One purpose of the data generated by the Trauma Quality Improvement Program is to provide insight which will lead to quality improvement initiatives and to promote intrinsic improvement on a center by center basis. The primary objective of this study was to measure the efficacy of instituting a multidisciplinary Trauma Medicine (T-MED) program to improve geriatric mortality at Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). Trauma Quality Improvement Program data at VCMC before October 2013 demonstrated poor performance in treating geriatric patients. To attempt to improve outcomes, a multidisciplinary T-MED program was instituted in October 2013, which included a mandatory consultation and collaborative management with hospitalist medicine physicians for all trauma patients 65 years of age or older. The T-MED program increased focus on preexisting conditions, medication management, and discharge planning, including rehabilitation and continuity of care. Institution of a T-MED program at VCMC resulted in significant improvement in mortality rates for geriatric trauma patients.