Trauma Transport Gaps: Rural and Socioeconomic Disparities

Timely transport of critically injured patients to trauma centers is critical, yet significant geographic and socioeconomic factors hinder access.

54% of critically injured patients were transported to trauma centers; rates varied regionally, with the Northeast at 44% and the Midwest at 67% (p < .001).
Rural areas showed lower transport rates compared to urban areas, particularly in the Northeast (35% vs 46%) but were similar in the Midwest (65% vs 68%).

Surgeons must consider these disparities when evaluating patient outcomes and tailoring trauma response strategies.

Patients from lower deprivation areas had a higher transport rate (56%) compared to those from wealthier areas (47%) (p < .001).

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