Quick reference of Traumatology

Aims: The rise of pressure in emergency admissions require organisation measures to decongest the Trauma Emergency Service (TES), addressing the issues of waiting lists and outpatient surgical schedule and trying to get diagnosis and / or specific and early treatments. Methods: Descriptive, retrospective population-based study, assessing all patients seen in the RATC at Clinica USP Palmaplanas, a 160 bed hospital, during the period from January to May 2009, establishing quality indicators and specific activities. We analyse the results of implementing the RACT created for that purpose Results: Patients treated at the TES during the period of study: 6864; patients referred to the RACT: 824 (12%); reason for consultation (knee lesions 16%, foot 13%, cervical spine 12%, lumbar spine 12%, wrist 12%, ankle 11%, shoulder 6%, other 18%); study of diagnostic concordance 89%, waiting time from TES from assessment to evaluation at the RACT (<48h 30%, 3-7 days 51%, 8-12 days 16%, >12 days 3%); waiting time from initial to final assessment in the RACT (same day 30%, <8 days 54%, 8-12 days 13%, >12 days 3%). Patients referred to rehabilitation from the RACT 40%, discharged home 30%, scheduled surgeries from RACT 21%, referrals to other services (6% Neurosurgery, 3% Rheumatology), re-evaluations for the same reason in TES 1%. Conclusions: RACT reduced the waiting time for diagnosis and treatment of patients referred from the TES. It is helpful for improving the accessibility of outpatient visits and surgical schedule, improving the flow of the hospital channels and ensuring patient safety.