Factors Associated with an Increase in On-Site Time of Pediatric Trauma Patients in a Prehospital Setting: A Nationwide Observational Study in Japan

Abstract

The factors that prolong the on-site time in pediatric trauma cases in a prehospital setting are unknown. We investigated these factors using a national trauma registry in Japan. We identified pediatric trauma patients aged ≤18 years, from January 2004 to May 2019. We categorized cases into shorter (≤13 min) and longer (>13 min) prehospital on-site time groups. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis with multiple imputations to assess the factors associated with longer prehospital on-site time. Overall, 14,535 patients qualified for inclusion. The median prehospital on-site time was 13 min. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the longer prehospital on-site time was associated with higher age; suicide (Odds ratio [OR] 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.57); violence (OR 1.74; 95%CI 1.27–2.38); higher revised trauma score, abbreviated injury scale > 3 in the spine (OR 1.25; 95%CI 1.04–1.50), upper extremity (OR 1.26; 95%CI 1.11–1.44), and lower extremity (OR 1.25; 95%CI 1.14–1.37); immobilization (OR 1.16; 95%CI 1.06–1.27); and comorbid mental retardation (OR 1.56; 95%CI 1.11–2.18). In light of these factors, time in the field could be reduced by having more pediatric emergency physicians and orthopedic surgeons available.