Health care utilization outcomes in patients with blunt chest wall trauma following discharge from the emergency department: A retrospective, observational data-linkage study

BACKGROUND Although much is published reporting clinical outcomes in the patients with blunt chest wall trauma who are admitted to hospital from the ED, less is known about the patients' recovery when they are discharged directly without admission. The aim of this study was to investigate the health care utilization outcomes in adult patients with blunt chest wall trauma, discharged directly from ED in a trauma unit in the United Kingdom.METHODS This was a longitudinal, retrospective, single-center, observational study incorporating analysis of linked datasets, using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage databank for admissions to a trauma unit in the Wales, between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020. All patients 16 years or older with a primary diagnosis of blunt chest wall trauma discharged directly home were included. Data were analyzed using a negative binomial regression model.RESULTS There were 3,205 presentations to the ED included. Mean age was 53 years, 57% were male, with the predominant injury mechanism being a low velocity fall (50%). 93% of the cohort sustained between 0 and 3 rib fractures. Four percent of the cohort were reported to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 4% using preinjury anticoagulants. On regression analysis, inpatient admissions, outpatient appointments and primary care contacts all significantly increased in the 12-week period postinjury, compared with the 12-week period preinjury (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-1.99; p < 0.001; OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.14-1.43; p < 0.001; OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.02; p < 0.001, respectively). Risk of health care resource utilization increased significantly with each additional year of age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and preinjury anticoagulant use (all p < 0.05). Social deprivation and number of rib fracture did not impact outcomes.CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate the need for appropriate signposting and follow-up for patients with blunt chest wall trauma presenting to the ED, not requiring admission to the hospital.