Randomised study of Early Assessment by CT scanning in Trauma patients

The number of days spent outside the hospital in the first year following the emergency admission in the shockroom will be our primary outcome. This outcome is responsive to differences in mortality (no more/additional days outside hospital), to differences in hospital stay for the initial admission, to differences in readmission rate (i.e. because of missed diagnoses). Furthermore, there is a positive association between a shorter hospital stay and better functional health. Care will be given to harmonize discharge criteria between the two hospitals.

The secondary outcome parameters for the patient outcome part of the study will focus on:

- The process of care parameters of the initial admission. This will include the comparison of various time intervals relevant in trauma care:
1. time to obtain results of CT imaging
2. time to operation or other interventions (door-to-treatment time)
3. time to active bleed managing
4. time to definitive care facility (ICU, high care, nursing ward)
5. duration of intensive care treatment
6. time to discharge from the hospital

- Radiological examinations and findings:
1. the frequency and type of radiological examinations in each strategy
2. description of the number, type and severity of diagnoses categorized by imaging modality in each strategy

- General health. This will be measured in all patients at 6 and 12 months after the shockroom admission using the EuroQol and HUI3 questionnaires.

- All-cause mortality. This will include both in-hospital mortality and mortality during the first year following the trauma.

- Radiation dose. The mean radiation dose will be calculated in both strategies based on the actual number and type of radiological examinations related to the initial trauma performed in each patient during the first year.