Correlation of Revised Trauma Score and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) predicted probability of survival with peer-reviewed determination of trauma deaths

Trauma deaths at our institution are evaluated by a multidisciplinary trauma committee. The purpose of this study was to evaluate preventable trauma deaths (PRDs) as determined by our review committee and correlate them with the Revised Trauma Score and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) probability of survival (PS). A total of 10,002 patients were identified. The PS was calculated using the TRISS method. The Z scores were calculated and the predicted number of deaths was established. The actual number of deaths was compared with the predicted number of deaths. PRDs were compared with the actual and predicted deaths. The Z score was 0.79, which meant we observed more deaths than predicted by TRISS. We had 281 deaths compared with 271 deaths predicted by TRISS. Peer review characterized 45 deaths as preventable. Although we performed well when our outcomes were compared with TRISS predicted outcomes our PRD rate was higher. The higher the PS the more likely the death was found preventable by peer review. We conclude that for our patient population the peer review process is very sensitive and may be more discerning in identifying PRD than TRISS.