The application of theory to each simulated patient infuses conceptual knowledge at the point of care. Change in social consciousness begins at the bedside. The moral imperative of nursing continues to be the preparation of socially responsible, professional nurses who strive to end social injustices.
Introduction
Sternal fractures (SF) are uncommon injuries usually associated with a significant mechanism of injury. Concomitant injury is likely, and a risk of mortality is substantial.
Aim
Our aim in this study was to identify the risk factors for mortality in patients who had sustained sternal fractures.
Methods
We conducted a single centre retrospective review of the trust’s Trauma Audit and Research Network Database, from May 2014 to July 2021. Our inclusion criteria were any patients who had sustained a sternal fracture. The regions of injury were defined using the Abbreviated Injury Score. Pearson Chi-Squared, Fisher Exact tests and multivariate regression analyses were performed using IBM SPSS.
Results
A total of 249 patients were identified to have sustained a SF. There were 19 patients (7.63%) who had died. The most common concomitant injuries with SF were Rib fractures (56%), Lung Contusions (31.15%) and Haemothorax (21.88%). There was a significant increase in age (59.93 vs 70.06, p = .037) and admission troponin (36.34 vs. 100.50, p = .003) in those who died. There was a significantly lower GCS in those who died (10.05 vs. 14.01, p < .001). On multi regression analysis, bilateral rib injury (p = 0.037, OR 1.104) was the only nominal variable which showed significance in mortality.
Conclusion
Sternal Fractures are uncommon but serious injuries. Our review has identified that bilateral rib injuries, increase in age, low GCS, and high admission troponin in the context of SF, were associated with mortality.
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