Suicide Data in Trauma Centers: Implications of Imprecision. J Trauma Nurs 2023 Sep-Oct 01;30(5):255-260
Date
09/13/2023Pubmed ID
37702726DOI
10.1097/JTN.0000000000000739Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85171119677 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
BACKGROUND: Trauma registries exist to provide data for evaluating the quality of care of trauma patients. These data facilitate research and can be used for outreach, planning, and improvement in trauma patient outcomes. However, the accuracy of registry data related to suicide has not been well studied.
OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate the accuracy of current trauma registry coding practices related to labeling injury as a suicide attempt among patients presenting to a Level I trauma center after self-inflicted injury.
METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective cohort analysis of a Level I trauma center trauma registry on all patients with self-inflicted injuries from 2011 to 2021. Manual chart review was used to identify cases wherein patients' injuries were categorized as suicidal despite the absence of suicidal intent.
RESULTS: During this 11-year period, 537 patients were identified as having presented to the trauma center for traumatic self-inflicted injuries. Manual chart review revealed that 16% of these patients were incorrectly categorized as having attempted suicide despite their self-inflicted injury lacking suicidal intent (e.g., accidents, nonsuicidal self-harm).
CONCLUSION: We found that 16% of trauma registry patients were overcategorized as having attempted suicide. Trauma registry data are an important source of information for activities related to injury prevention in trauma centers. Imprecise coding of self-inflicted injury may lead to poorly targeted programs and interventions due to incorrectly represented injury causes and patterns in trauma patient populations, including suicide prevention.
Author List
Cronn SE, Kant JM, Brandolino A, Kohlbeck S, deRoon-Cassini T, Emerson N, Schramm AAuthors
Amber Brandolino in the CTSI department at Medical College of Wisconsin - CTSISusan E. Cronn RN APP Lead Inpatient 1 in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Sara Kohlbeck PhD, MPH Assistant Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Andrew T. Schramm PhD Assistant Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Terri A. deRoon Cassini PhD Center Director, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Cohort StudiesHumans
Retrospective Studies
Self-Injurious Behavior
Suicide, Attempted
Trauma Centers
