Full-time orthopedic traumatologists enhance rural trauma center pelvic fracture outcomes and financials

Abstract

We hypothesized that full-time orthopedic traumatologists would increase interfacility transfer patients with pelvic ring injuries at a trauma center seeking American College of Surgeons Level I verification. A trauma registry query identified 790 patients with pelvic ring injuries admitted to a trauma service over 10 years. The study groups included 173 patients 3 years before and 405 patients 3 years after recruitment of two full-time orthopedic traumatologists. Interfacility transfers of patients with pelvic ring injuries requiring operative procedures were increased over 230 per cent (P < 0.01) with full-time orthopedic traumatologists. Financial analysis showed enhanced hospital margin per patient and decreased direct costs (P < 0.01). Complications, mortality rates, and length of stay were decreased (P < 0.01). Full-time orthopedic traumatologists enhance pelvic ring injury patient interfacility transfers, operative procedures, outcomes, and financials at a Level I trauma center in a rural setting.