Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference (ACPIC23)

ACPIC 2023 delivered a wide range of clinical and research sessions from experts and leaders in paramedicine. Hosted in Melbourne (September 2023) the program was designed to inspire, educate and broaden horizons.

Conference theme: Lead - Evolve - Impact

Direct admission versus inter-hospital transfer to a level I trauma unit does not improve survival following severe traumatic brain injury

Introduction: TBI is the leading cause of global mortality and morbidity. Objective: This study examined severe TBI patient outcomes based on transportation. Methods: This retrospective, quantitative analysis examined patient outcomes in patients transported to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) from January 2017 to December 2018. This study covered 12+-year-olds. This study included GCS- and CT-classified severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Results: 167 of 202 cases were male. 41.1% of patients were injured by motor vehicle collisions. Direct admissions had higher mortality than interhospital transfers (p<0.001). Direct IALCH admissions were shorter than inter-hospital transfers. New injury severity score (NISS), revised trauma score (RTS), and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) predicted mortality well, with NISS being the most accurate. Conclusion: Severe TBI patients admitted straight to a level 1 trauma hospital have worse outcomes than those transferred from another institution. In severe traumatic brain damage, physiological/anatomical scoring systems and predictors can help predict death.

Biography: Dr Simpiwe Sobuwa

Dr Sobuwa is the Senior Lecturer and Acting Head of the Department of Emergency Medical Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He is also the Chairperson of the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s Professional Board for Emergency Care and the Vice-President of the Health Professions Council of South Africa. He chairs the Remuneration Committee of the Council.

Moderator: Dr Nigel Barr, Senior Lecturer, Paramedicine Discipline Leader and Program Coordinator, Bachelor of Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast

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