The contribution of staff at South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) has been recognised as more patients than ever survive major trauma.
Since 2012, patients with suspected “major trauma” have been transported directly to Major Trauma Centres (MTCs) instead of the nearest hospital by ambulance crews across England including those at SCAS. Ambulance crews have received additional training to deal with these cases, and now have access to specialised trauma equipment and medicines for use at an incident and en route to hospital with their patient
When these cases arrive at hospital, patient details and injuries are entered into the national Trauma Audit Research Network (TARN) database which allows national comparison of patient survival and long-term outcomes. It also allows TARN to identify hospitals that are doing exceptionally well with “unexpected survivors” so that best practice can be shared across the Trauma Networks. The aim is to improve the care of all patients with trauma.
Results from the national audit by the TARN released this week show that there has been a huge improvement in the care of patients with major trauma. Patients who have major trauma are now 63 per cent more likely to survive than they were in 2008/9.
Mark Ainsworth-Smith, Consultant Pre-Hospital Care Practitioner and SCAS trauma lead, said: “SCAS is very proud of the pivotal role it plays along with other ambulance services, air ambulances and hospital teams in the success of the trauma networks”.
“Taking seriously injured patients directly from the scene of an incident to MTCs has been shown to be beneficial in other countries. Following the hard work and dedication by all of those involved we have confirmation that patients in England are 63 per cent more likely to survive major trauma than they were just six years ago”.
“This is an amazing achievement, and one that the ambulance service and air ambulance teams should be very proud of. This data proves that crews are doing the right thing by going straight to dedicated MTCs where that comprehensive and extensive care and treatment can be started as soon as possible.”
Dr Simon Hughes, Director of Trauma at University Hospital Southampton (UHS), said: “This is truly a fantastic result. Everyone involved should be very proud to have been a part of what has been one of the most successful service changes in the NHS since its inception.”