Table 4

Characteristics of data set of level 3–5 trauma centres in the Central South regional trauma network

CharacteristicDescription
PopulationThe Central South RTN encompasses the Waterloo Wellington LHIN, the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN and the Halton portion of the Mississauga Halton LHIN. There is 1 adult level 1 trauma centre, located at Hamilton General Hospital, and 1 pediatric trauma centre, at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Critically injured patients taken to 1 of the 22 hospitals self-designated as level 3–5 may be transferred to 1 of the LTHs. Patients who die at the scene, are admitted to hospital or die at a level 3–5 hospital are not part of the Hamilton General Hospital trauma registry. Trauma activation guidelines, together with individual circumstances and clinical judgment (sending hospital and trauma team leader), determine transfers.
Eligibility criteriaAll patients who present to a level 3–5 hospital emergency department with at least 1 ICD-10 diagnosis code indicative of an injury or burn (ICD-10 code S00 to T79).
Data
 Patient

  • Basic demographic characteristics (name/initials, age, sex)

  • Mode of arrival (e.g., ambulance, air ambulance, walk-in)

  • Admission date

  • Interventions performed (surgical, diagnostic imaging)

  • List of ICD-10 injury diagnosis codes (codes S00 to T79 only)

  • Discharge status/disposition (e.g., home, transfer to another hospital, death)

  • Date and time of discharge or death

 Hospital administrative data sources

  • Discharge Abstract Database captures administrative, clinical and demographic information on hospital discharges (including deaths, sign-outs and transfers)

  • National Ambulatory Care Reporting System contains data for all hospital- and community-based ambulatory care (e.g., emergency department)

Indirect identifiers for linkage across data sourcesPatient’s name/initials, date of birth/age and sex, hospital code, date/time of arrival, emergency department disposition (admitted to hospital, transferred to another acute care facility, death in emergency department)

  • ICD-10 = International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision; LHIN = Local Health Integration Network; LTH = lead trauma hospital; RTN = regional trauma network.