Impact of Trauma Protocol Adherence on Patient Outcomes in Resource-Limited Settings: A Study from Sharourah General Hospital, Saudi Arabia

• Published in: Journal of Fatima Jinnah Medical University Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 180 - 184
• Main Authors: Rather, Irfan Habib, Ain, Qurat ul, Rather, Ajaz Ahmad, Rather, Sanaan Ajaz, Tarifi, Ayman Othman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 10-03-2024
• ISSN: 2616-6461; 2616-6291
• DOI: 10.37018/JFJMU/IHR/2386

Background: In resource-limited settings, the management of trauma patients poses significant challenges due to limited medical resources, personnel, and infrastructure. Adherence to standardized trauma protocols is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes, yet the impact of protocol adherence in such settings remains underexplored. Patients and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted, reviewing trauma cases admitted to the ED. A total of 200 trauma patients were included and divided into two groups: 120 patients with strict protocol adherence and 80 patients with documented protocol deviations. Inclusion criteria were adult trauma patients with complete medical records, while exclusion criteria included patients dead on arrival, transferred out, or pediatric cases. The primary outcome was mortality, with secondary outcomes including morbidity, length of hospital stay, time to definitive treatment, and recovery status at discharge. Results: Patients whose care adhered to trauma protocols had significantly lower mortality rates (8.3% vs. 18.7%, p = 0.02), fewer complications (15% vs. 25%, p = 0.04), and shorter hospital stays (5.2 ± 2.1 days vs. 7.8 ± 3.5 days, p < 0.001) compared to those with protocol deviations. Additionally, the time to definitive treatment was faster in the adherence group (3.2 ± 1.1 hours vs. 5.6 ± 2.8 hours, p = 0.03). Protocol adherence was identified as an independent predictor of lower mortality and shorter hospital stays in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study findings clearly demonstrate that adherence to trauma protocols is associated with significantly better patient outcomes, even in resource-limited settings. By implementing structured and standardized care pathways, healthcare providers can overcome many of the challenges posed by limited resources, leading to improved survival rates, reduced complications, and faster recovery. These results highlight the critical importance of reinforcing trauma protocols and ensuring that they are strictly followed in emergency care settings.