Gibson, GDicker, BCivil, IKool, B2024-11-222024-11-222024-09-27The New Zealand Medical Journal, ISSN: 1175-8716 (Print); 1175-8716 (Online), Pasifika Medical Association Group, 137(1603), 89-128. doi: 10.26635/6965.65941175-87161175-8716http://hdl.handle.net/10292/18375AIM: To evaluate adherence to the New Zealand Major Trauma Destination Policy (MTDP). This audit assessed if, based on their injuries, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) attended major trauma cases were taken to the MTDP determined appropriate hospital. Findings will guide and further improve pre-hospital trauma care and associated patient outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of adherence to the New Zealand MTDP for a random sample of 100 cases (ISS >12) injured between 31 November 2017-30 November 2018 who survived to hospital. The EMS electronic patient record (ePRF) was reviewed for each case. Adherence was indicated by the transport of injured patients from the scene to the appropriate initial destination based on meeting the respective regional MTDPs. RESULTS: Overall, there was a 94% adherence rate to the MTDP. For patients that were not classified as requiring transport to an advanced-level trauma centre, there was a 98.9% (n=86/87) adherence compared to 61.5% (n=8/13) adherence in those that did require transport to an advanced-level trauma centre. CONCLUSION: There was high adherence to the MTDP, with 94% of cases being taken to the appropriate destination directly from the incident scene. There is scope for improvement in cases whereby the nearest hospital should be bypassed in favour of a more distant advanced-level trauma centre.The NZMJ is free for individuals to subscribe with no payment required. However, institutions are encouraged to pay. Authors are no longer required to pay for Article Processing Charges (APCs) with our new model32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences3202 Clinical Sciences42 Health SciencesPhysical Injury - Accidents and Adverse EffectsEmergency CareInjuries and accidents3 Good Health and Well Being11 Medical and Health SciencesGeneral & Internal Medicine32 Biomedical and clinical sciences42 Health sciencesHumansNew ZealandRetrospective StudiesGuideline AdherenceMaleFemaleTrauma CentersAdultMiddle AgedWounds and InjuriesEmergency Medical ServicesAgedMedical AuditYoung AdultTransportation of PatientsHumansWounds and InjuriesTransportation of PatientsRetrospective StudiesAdultAgedMiddle AgedTrauma CentersEmergency Medical ServicesGuideline AdherenceMedical AuditNew ZealandFemaleMaleYoung AdultHumansNew ZealandRetrospective StudiesGuideline AdherenceMaleFemaleTrauma CentersAdultMiddle AgedWounds and InjuriesEmergency Medical ServicesAgedMedical AuditYoung AdultTransportation of PatientsJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.26635/6965.6594