Trauma Center model application in the University Hospital of Pisa: a single-center comparative study

The Trauma Center, Hub, is a highly specialized hospital indicated for complex major trauma management after stabilization at a 1st level hospital, Spoke. Although in the United States this organization demonstrated its effectiveness in mortality, in the Italian context, data available are limited. On 30 September 2018, the University Hospital of Pisa formalized the introduction of the Trauma Center, optimizing Emergency Department (ED) organization to guarantee the highest standard of care. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the new model led better outcomes. We conducted a comparative retrospective study on 1154 major traumas over 24 months: the first 12 months (576 patients) correspond to the period before Trauma Center introduction, and the following 12 (457 patients) to the subsequent period. Results showed increase in greater dynamics and primary centralization by helicopter (p < 0.001, p 0.006). A systematic assessment with ABCDE algorithm was performed in a higher number of patients in the most recent period, from 38.4% to 80.3% (p < 0.001). Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) performed by the emergency doctor increased after Trauma Center introduction, p value < 0.001. The data show an increase of ATLS certification among staff from 51.9 to 71.4% and a reduction in early and late mortality after the Trauma Center introduction (p value 0.05 and < 0.01). Fewer patients required intensive and surgical treatments, with a shorter hospital stay. The results demonstrate the advantage in terms of outcomes in the organization of the Trauma Center in the Italian context.