Evaluation of the paediatric trauma system in NSW

A review of 1,138 severely injured children in New South Wales (NSW) identified that children treated at adult trauma centres were 3 to 6 times less likely to survive than those who received definitive treatment at a paediatric trauma centre. Yet, there has been no comprehensive assessment of the processes of care and the systems for treating severe paediatric injury in Australia, nor have any strategies been developed to improve health care services and health outcomes. This research is identifying the most effective treatment pathways to ensure the best possible health outcomes for seriously injured children.

This research has involved a review of care provision, care pathways, and survival following severe paediatric injury in NSW. Pre-hospital and in-hospital care provision was peer-reviewed, paediatric trauma outcomes, such as mortality and function, monitored and health service delivery outcomes, such as cost and hospital length of stay, have been assessed.