Effect of Interfacility Transfer on Outcomes in Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patients.

BACKGROUND/RATIONALE: Existing literature on pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) transfers to higher-level trauma centers is limited. Most studies focus on inhospital mortality and neurosurgical intervention rates, often overlooking outcomes such as early discharge without neurosurgical intervention, intensive care unit length of stay, and discharge disposition.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of transfer to a higher-level trauma center on clinical outcomes of pediatric severe TBI patients.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database between 2017 and 2023 to evaluate pediatric trauma patients with isolated severe TBI transferred from lower-level to higher-level trauma centers. The primary outcome was the odds of discharge within 24 or 48 h without requiring neurosurgical intervention and rates of neurosurgical intervention. Secondary outcomes included emergency department and 24-h mortality, initial and repeat computerized tomography scan rates, intensive care unit length of stay, ventilator-free days, and discharge home.

RESULTS

Of the 4,154 pediatric patients with isolated severe TBI, 1,723 (41.5%) were transferred, and 2,418 (58.2%) were not. Transferred patients had a 42% lower odds of discharge within 24 h without neurosurgical intervention (OR: 0.58, 95% CI [0.41, 0.80], p < .001), were more likely to undergo neurosurgical intervention (OR: 1.26, 95% CI [1.04, 1.53], p = .016), and were more likely to be discharged home (OR: 1.58, 95% CI [1.30, 1.92], p < .001). Mortality rates did not differ significantly between groups.

CONCLUSION

Transfer to higher-level trauma centers is associated with increased neurosurgical intervention and higher rates of discharge home in pediatric patients with severe TBI, without differences in mortality.