Predictors of clinical deterioration and intensive care unit admission in trauma patients transferred from northern Quebec to a level 1 trauma centre: a retrospective cohort study

Background: Trauma care in Nunavik, Quebec, is highly challenging. Geographic distances and delays in transport can translate into precarious patient transfers to tertiary trauma care centres. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of clinical deterioration during transport and eventual intensive care unit (ICU) admission for trauma patients transferred from Nunavik to a tertiary trauma care centre. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) trauma registry. All adult trauma patients transferred from Nunavik and admitted to the MGH from 2010 to 2019 were included. Main outcomes of interest were hemodynamic and neurologic deterioration during transport and ICU admission. Results: In total, 704 patients were transferred from Nunavik and admitted to the MGH during the study period. The median age was 33 (interquartile range [IQR] 23-47) years and the median Injury Severity Score was 10 (IQR 5-17). On multiple regression analysis, transport time from site of injury to the MGH (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.06), thoracic injuries (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.03-2.99), and head and neck injuries (OR 3.76, 95% CI 2.10-6.76) predicted clinical deterioration during transfer. Injury Severity Score (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08), abnormal local Glasgow Coma Scale score (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.34-4.95), clinical deterioration during transfer (OR 4.22, 95% CI 1.99-8.93), traumatic brain injury (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.05-5.68), and transfusion requirement at the MGH (OR 4.63, 95% CI 2.35-9.09) were independent predictors of ICU admission. Conclusion: Our study identified several predictors of clinical deterioration during transfer and eventual ICU admission for trauma patients transferred from Nunavik. These factors could be used to refine triage criteria in Nunavik for more timely evacuation and higher level care during transport.