AbstractCluster Analysis of Injury Severity in a Regional Trauma SystemTrack: Emergency Medical Services/Fire Author Objective: To determine clusters of trauma incidents with high injury severity. Methods: We matched injury location information to the state trauma system registry for patients directly transported to two Level I trauma centers for the years 2001-2003 in a three county area. The Moran's I determined clusters of census tracts that had a high incidence of either total trauma injuries, injury severity score > 15, or high hospital resource use. These clusters were then tested for association with census tract demographics using logistic regression. Results: Moran's I analysis demonstrated a single large cluster of incidents for total injuries, ISS > 15, and occurrence of high resource use. The high risk cluster was associated with a higher prevalence of non-white population and vacant housing and a lower prevalence of foreign born residents and family housing. Conclusions: Geospatial analyses may assist injury prevention interventions and emergency medical services deployment strategies for trauma. Craig Warden OSHU/CCFD##1/PSU 4908 NE Tillamook St Portland, Oregon 97213 United States Phone: 503-494-4399 E-mail: wardenc@ohsu.edu Ritu Sahni OHSU 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd Portland, Oregon 97239 United States Phone: 503-494-7500 E-mail: sahnir@ohsu.edu Craig Warden OHSU 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd Portland, Oregon 97213 United States Phone: 503-494-7500 E-mail: newgardc@ohsu.edu |