An Analysis of Trauma Team Activations at a South African Level One Trauma Centre

ABSTRACT Introduction: South Africa has a high prevalence of trauma causing significant healthcare and financial burden. Various scoring systems have been developed to guide team activation (TTA). To date, however, there are no standardised criteria for TTA. The aim this preliminary study was analyse the practice clinical judgement TTA when compared American College Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) guideline Loma Linda Rule Methods : This retrospective analysis registry data over one-year period from Level 1 centre in Africa. Results There were 9207 patients that presented Emergency Department during 1-year period. by 9.4%. Only 407 (48%) TTAs fulfilled ACS-COT guidelines Using Rule, 456 (53.8%) criteria. Despite over-triage TTA, almost two-thirds admitted intensive care or units. Conclusions showed using provider resulted over-activation Rule. Over-activation consumes valuable resources potentially endangers those who actually need cannot receive it. Implementation tool could aid optimisation patient appropriate resource utilisation.