A multi-state survey of videotaping practices for major trauma resuscitations

• Published in: The Journal of emergency medicine Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 597 - 604
• Main Authors: Ellis, David G, Lerner, E.Brooke, Jehle, Dietrich V.K, Romano, Karen, Siffring, Corydon
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-07-1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; education; Health Care Surveys; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Organizational Policy; quality improvement; Resuscitation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Trauma Centers - organization & administration; Trauma Centers - statistics & numerical data; trauma resuscitation; United States; Video Recording - statistics & numerical data; videotaping; Wounds and Injuries - therapy; trauma resuscitation; education; quality improvement; videotaping; Human; Quality assurance; Intensive care; Prevalence; Occupational education; Trauma; Video recording; Resuscitation
• ISSN: 0736-4679; 2352-5029
• DOI: 10.1016/S0736-4679(99)00048-7

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and problems, both perceived and actual, associated with videotaping major trauma resuscitations. A cross-sectional two-part survey of trauma centers was conducted. Part 1 determined demographic information and videotaping status. Part 2 asked trauma centers that were not doing videotaping (NVTCs) about their plans, past experience, and perceived problems. Videotaping trauma centers (VTCs) were asked about mechanics, responsibility, utilization, and problems. A total of 221 centers were surveyed; 20% VTCs, 70% NVTCs, and 10% NVTCs that had videotaped in the past (PVTC). Among VTCs, 53% reported problems with videotaping including lack of personnel (40%) and time (40%) to administer the program. Videotaping, however, was found to be an effective quality improvement tool in 95% of the VTCs. Of the NVTCs, 70% perceived problems with implementing a videotaping program; these included medicolegal (34%) and patient confidentiality (22%) concerns. Of the PVTCs, 90% stated that they had problems with videotaping including lack of staff support (33%) and lack of personnel to assist with the program (24%). In conclusion, staff participation and adequate personnel outweigh medicolegal concerns as actual videotaping problems. Videotaping is perceived to be an effective performance improvement tool.