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West Virginia University School of Medicine
WVU Researchers ’ Measure to Better Assess Children with Traumatic Injuries
West Virginia University ( WVU ) pediatric trauma specialists and statisticians have formulated a measure to more accurately assess children with traumatic injuries to ensure they receive the most effective life-saving treatment .
“ This tool we ’ ve evaluated is not only accurate in predicting which pediatric patients are going to benefit from going to a Level 1 trauma center , but it ’ s also simpler than ones that have been previously proposed so a paramedic can use it in the back of an ambulance ,” said Tanner Smida , an MD / PhD student from Finleyville , Pennsylvania .
Smida , along with Dr . James Bardes , associate professor of trauma , acute care surgery , and surgical critical care , and Dr . Patrick Bonasso , assistant professor and pediatric trauma director , both in the WVU School of Medicine , came up with the concept for the study to augment the triage of children whose injuries occur in rural areas far from a trauma center . The formula for assessment , however , can be used in any setting to determine the need for critical care .
The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery , which published the paper , selected the study as one of the best of 2024 . The work evolved from Bardes ’ previous studies on adults with traumatic injuries , particularly those in rural states . Brad Price , chair and associate professor of management information systems and supply chain in the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics , was also a study co-author .
“ When a child is injured , the most important first decision made by arriving EMTs and paramedics is where they are going to take the patient ,” Smida said . “ This tool gives us a simple and highly accurate way to identify high-risk pediatric trauma patients and send them to the right place , which can have an impact on their outcome .”
The team of WVU researchers evaluated the reverse shock index ( rSIM ) score , which includes the ratio of systolic blood pressure to heart rate and the motor skills component of the Glasgow Coma Scale ( GSC ), a tool to assess level of consciousness .
To conduct the study , Price said researchers looked at the National Trauma Data Bank to understand the relationship between rSIM scores , pediatric mortality , and hospital resource utilization nationwide . Their approach investigated patients ages 1 to 16 and accounted for information such as age , gender , and injury severity .
Smida said first responders could use the tool to assess an accident victim by dividing the patient ’ s blood pressure by their heart rate . That number would be multiplied by their GCS score , a figure determined by whether motor skills are present , such as being able to give a thumbs up .
“ Imagine the scenario of a 6-year-old boy being struck by a car at
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