Analysis of Preventable Transfers of Pediatric Trauma Patients From Montana to an Out of State Tertiary Level I Pediatric Trauma Center

jpedsurg.org

The process of transferring pediatric trauma patients to specialized centers is essential for providing high-level trauma care to critically injured children. However, preventing unnecessary transfers is also a crucial component of optimizing healthcare utilization. The aim of this study was to identify and describe patients who underwent preventable transfers from hospitals in Montana to a single out-of-state Level I Pediatric Trauma Center (PTC).

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Article · Jan 2025 · 1 min read

In brief

This study examines preventable transfers of pediatric trauma patients from Montana hospitals to an out-of-state Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, focusing on optimizing healthcare resource utilization. The research identifies patterns in unnecessary transfers to help improve trauma system efficiency and reduce overtriage in rural settings.

Preventable transfers of pediatric trauma patients increase healthcare costs and resource utilization without improving clinical outcomes.
Identifying transfer patterns can help Montana hospitals optimize triage decisions and retain appropriate cases locally.
Standardized transfer criteria are needed to balance access to specialized care with avoiding unnecessary out-of-state referrals.
Many pediatric trauma patients may be safely managed at in-state facilities, reducing family burden and system strain.
Data-driven analysis of transfer appropriateness can guide protocol development for rural pediatric trauma networks.

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