Differences in trauma team activation criteria among Norwegian hospitals
Original version
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine 2010, 18 10.1186/1757-7241-18-21Abstract
Background: To ensure the rapid and correct triage of patients in potential need of specialized treatment, Norwegian
hospitals are expected to establish trauma teams with predefined criteria for their activation. The objective of this study
was to map and describe the criteria currently in use.
Methods: We undertook a cross-sectional survey in the summer of 2008, using structured telephone interviews to all
Norwegian hospitals that might admit severely injured patients.
Results: Forty-nine hospitals were included, of which 48 (98%) had a trauma team and 20 had a hospital-based trauma
registry. Criteria for trauma team activation were found at 46 (94%) hospitals. No single criterion was common to all
hospitals. The median number of criteria per hospital was 23 (range 8-40), with a total number of 156 and wide
variation with respect to physiological "cut-off" values. The mechanism of injury was commonly in use despite a wellknown,
large over-triage rate.
Conclusions: In recent years, Norwegian hospitals have gradually established trauma teams and criteria for their
activation. These criteria show considerable variation, including physiological "cut-off" values.