Organization of trauma management in French level-1 pediatric trauma centers: A cross-sectional survey

Due to the lack of available evidence on pediatric trauma care organization, no French national guideline has been developed. This survey aimed to describe the management of pediatric trauma patients in France. In this cross-sectional survey, an electronic questionnaire (previously validated) was distributed to intensive care physicians from tertiary hospitals via the GFRUP (Groupe Francophone de Réanimation et Urgences Pédiatriques) mailing list. We collected 37 responses from 28 centers with available data, representing 100% of French level-1 pediatric trauma centers. Most of the pediatric centers (n = 21, 75%) had a written local protocol on pediatric trauma care. In most centers (n = 17, 61%), patients with severe trauma could be admitted in various locations, including the adult or pediatric emergency department or the intensive care unit. Usually, the location of the trauma room depended on the patients’ age and/or severity of trauma. In 12 centers in which trauma could be managed by adult physicians (n = 12/18, 70%), a physician with pediatric expertise (anesthesiologist or intensive care physician) could be called according to the patient's age or severity of trauma. The cut-off patient age for considering pediatric expertise was mainly 3–5 years (n = 10, 83%). Although most French level-1 pediatric trauma centers have a local protocol for pediatric trauma management, organization is very heterogeneous in France. Guidelines should focus on collaboration between professionals and hospital facilities in order to improve outcomes of children with trauma.