SP 2.03 Outcome Measures Used in UK Major Trauma Centres: A National Survey

Aims

Measuring the outcomes of Major Trauma (MT) during recovery is crucial for benchmarking care and guiding future research.

To develop a Core Outcome Set for adult major trauma we conducted a survey of Major Trauma Centres (MTCs) to identify current practice in MT outcome data collection.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was disseminated to healthcare professionals working in UK adult MTCs between June and December 2025. The questionnaire captured whether MTCs collected Outcome Measure Instruments (OMIs), which instruments were used, and what Outcome Domains (ODs) they assessed.

Results

We received 42 responses from 93% of UK MTCs. Of these, only 60% reported collecting OMIs from major trauma patients.

A total of 25 unique OMIs were identified out of 54 reported. The most measured ODs were Rehabilitation Needs (15%), Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) (15%), Mental Health (13%), Mobility and balance (11%), and Quality of life (11%).

The OMIs used to measure Rehabilitation Needs were either the Rehabilitation Complexity Scale or Patient Categorisation Tool. ADLs were commonly assessed by the Barthel Index or UK Functional Independence/Assessment Measure. All reported mental health OMIs were unique. Mobility and Balance were mostly assessed using the Cumulative Ambulatory Scale or BERG Balance Scale. Quality of life was mostly assessed using EQ-5D or SF-36.

Conclusion

Outcome measurement practice across UK MTCs shows considerable variation in the domains assessed and the instruments used. The identification of 25 unique OMIs underscores the need for, and directly informs the development of a Core Outcome Set for Major Trauma.