Assessment of the effects and limitations of the 1998 to 2008 Abbreviated Injury Scale map using a large population-based dataset

• DOI: 10.1186/1757-7241-19-1
• Publication Date: 2011-01-07T19:15:30Z
• Authors: Cameron S Palmer; Melanie Franklyn
• Keywords: Abbreviated Injury Scale; Major trauma

Trauma systems should consistently monitor a given trauma population over period of time. The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and derived scores such as the Severity Score (ISS) are commonly used to quantify injury severities in registries. To reflect contemporary management treatment, most recent version AIS (AIS08) contains many codes which differ severity from their equivalents earlier 1998 (AIS98). Consequently, adoption AIS08 may impede comparisons between data coded using different versions. It also affect number patients classified major trauma. entire AIS98-coded dataset large based registry was retrieved mapped currently available AIS98-AIS08 dictionary map. percentage had increased or decreased severity, could not be mapped, examined conjunction with effect these changes calculated ISS. potential for free text information accompanying coding improve quality mapping explored. A total 128280 injuries were evaluated 32134 patients, 15471 whom Although only 4.5% AIS98 AIS08, this represented almost 13% registry. In 4.9% no mapped. ISS potentially unreliable one-third they at least one code Using by 17.3% 30.3%. Evaluation descriptions some demonstrated Converting results significant decrease Many missing existing map, across estimates it produces insufficient practice. However, possible point where is useful established