HIMSS25: Transforming Trauma Care with Advanced Triage Tools

Transforming Trauma Care: Innovations at HIMSS25

At the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas, clinical research nurse Aubrey May Agcon will unveil her innovative automated data analysis tool that promises to enhance trauma care via precise triage processes. Deployed at New York’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and affiliated with the Narrows Institute for Biomedical Research and Education, Agcon emphasizes that appropriate trauma triage is crucial for ensuring optimal patient outcomes and effective resource utilization within trauma centers.

Why Triage Matters in Trauma Care

Accurate triage is vital in trauma settings, as it determines how effectively patients are cared for based on the severity of injuries. Agcon points out that the right assessment can minimize delays in critical interventions, thus reducing mortality and morbidity rates significantly. "Our goal is to ensure that every patient receives the care they need, based on their injury severity," she shared, highlighting the need for systematic approaches in assessing trauma cases.

Leading Methods for Triage Assessment

Among the tools Agcon has evaluated are the Cribari Matrix Method (CMM) and the Standardized Triage Assessment Tool (STAT). The CMM assesses overtriage and undertriage rates based on the Injury Severity Score (ISS), but critics note it may overlook physiological factors in patients. Meanwhile, the STAT integrates the CMM with the NFTI, allowing a more nuanced understanding of patient needs and improving overall triage accuracy.

Automating Data Analysis for Better Outcomes

Agcon’s automated tool aims to alleviate manual errors in data assessment and bolster operational efficiency within trauma care systems. This solution not only enhances decision-making but also allows healthcare professionals to focus on higher priority tasks, such as evaluating trauma team activation protocols. By incorporating automated systems, trauma centers can gather insights that lead to faster, more effective responses to patient needs.

Optimizing Workflow Through Automation

On a practical level, Agcon proposes that healthcare professionals should leverage task automation to optimize workflow efficiency. Tasks like data entry and documentation that often consume valuable time can be automated, allowing healthcare teams to redirect their efforts towards patient care. "We must utilize every available tool to enhance the efficiency of our operations," she asserted.

Aubrey May Agcon’s presentation at HIMSS is set to shed light on these critical innovations and how they serve to revolutionize patient care in trauma settings.