Predictors of Pneumonia in Trauma Patients With Pulmonary Contusion

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to determine assessable risk levels for pneumonia in trauma patients with pulmonary contusion. A retrospective review and analysis of national trauma data of patients with pulmonary contusion were identified to develop a risk assessment model. Trauma data for 2007 were used to determine risk factors for subsequent complication of pneumonia in pulmonary contusion patients. Available patient comorbidities were considered in model development. Next, 2008 data were used to test and finalize model. Pneumonia risk was categorized into 3 ordinal levels, based on equal-sized proportions of pulmonary contusion patients. Significant risk factors for pneumonia included age, gender, pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, obesity, Glasgow Coma Scale motor score, and ventilation on admission. The final risk adjustment model had good fit and discrimination. Study analyses used more than 40 000 trauma patient data to devise assessable risk levels for pneumonia in pulmonary contusion diagnosed patients. Study data can assist in direction of care and triaging of urgent care patients at risk of pneumonia, possibly leading to mitigation and prevention of pneumonia in at risk patients. Further review of study outcomes should occur to fully understand applicability and usefulness in urgent settings.

Unexpected complications following an occupational injury

“…In patients with trauma, significant risk factors for pneumonia include age, gender, pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, obesity, Glasgow Coma Scale motor score and ventilation on admission. 17 The pneumonia in this man was a left lower lobar pneumonia which was developed two weeks after the chest trauma. By definition, this can also be considered as a nosocomial or hospital acquired pneumonia, which is contracted by a patient in a hospital at least 48-72 hours after being admitted.…”