Rural patients have higher trauma mortality

Editor's Note

Patients in rural hospitals are significantly (14%) more likely than nonrural patients to die after traumatic injuries, this study finds.

The disparity was greatest for injuries occurring in the South and Midwest and for cases with an injury severity score of <9 or unknown severity.

Distance and time to treatment probably plays a role in outcomes, along with differences in prehospital care and trauma system organization, the authors say.

Barriers to trauma care for rural populations are well documented, but little is known about the magnitude of urban-rural disparities in injury mortality. This study sought to quantify differences in injury mortality comparing rural and nonrural residents with traumatic injuries.