Wen et al reported risk factors for inpatient mortality for earthquake victims. These can help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from Sichuan University in Chengdu, China.
Patient selection: earthquake victim in hospital
Risk factors for inpatient death:
(1) severe traumatic brain injury (TBI; OR 253)
(2) multi-system organ failure (OR 88)
(3) prior major disease (comorbidity; OR 15)
(4) infection (OR 14)
Treatment at the local hospital prior to transfer to the referral center was associated with better survival (OR 0.2).
Additional factors (footnote Table 2):
(1) crush syndrome
(2) acute renal failure
(3) thoracic injury
(4) abdominal organ injury
(5) amputation
(6) cranial fracture
(7) trunk fracture (? vertebral)
(8) extremity fracture
The risk of mortality increased as the number of risk factors increased.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
