TraumCat: preliminary analysis of a year of severe trauma registry in Catalonia

Objective: To analyze results of the first year's use of the Hospital Population-Based Registry of Severe Trauma in Catalonia (TraumCat). Methods: Fifteen hospitals prospectively collected information on adults and children (< 16 years of age) with severe trauma for 1 year (July 1, 2012 to July 1, 2013). The information was stored in an online database. Results: The registry received 1106 cases of high-energy trauma (12.2% under the age of 16 years) were registered. Eight-four percent of the injuries in young adults were accidental; in the full cohort, 54.4% of the patients were injured in traffic accidents and 26.9% in falls. Personal violence accounted for 5.4%. The Injury Severity Score was over 15 in 46% of the patients, and the New Injury Severity Score was over 15 in 51%. Mortality was 10% overall, but in patients aged over 60 years, mortality was 25.2%. Conclusions: TraumCat reveals the scope of severe trauma in Catalonia and facilitates analysis of the process of treatment of these injuries. This tool should be more firmly established and improved as a strategy for monitoring trauma care and outcomes.