Bundling Procedures in Critically Ill Trauma Patients: Should It Be Done?

Abstract

Background: The precautions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic led to the growing practice of bundling lines in patients requiring intubation. Our study aims to examine the effect of immediate bundled lines (IBL) on traumatic injuries. We hypothesized that severely injured patients may benefit from IBL.

Methods: A retrospective review of all intubated trauma patients (1/2015-12/2020) at a Level I Trauma Center was conducted. Patients ≤18 years and those who died or were transferred prior to intensive care unit (ICU) admission were excluded. IBL was defined as placement of central venous catheter (CVC) and arterial line (AL) ≤4 hours after intubation. Delayed lines were any lines placed >4 hours after intubation. Primary outcome was time from intubation to CVC and AL.

Results: 728 patients were included. The majority received CVC and/or AL with 17.7% in a delayed fashion. Severe head injury (AIS ≥3) most often had immediate AL or delayed bundled lines (P < 0.001). IBL were more common with gunshot wounds (GSW) (P < 0.001) and blood transfusions (P < 0.001). IBL were associated with significantly lower GCS (P = 0.018) and higher median ISS. Multivariate logistic regression revealed severe/profound ISS, GSW, and pedestrian struck were predictive of IBL.

Discussion: Intubated trauma patients who presented with certain mechanisms (GSW, pedestrian struck), received blood transfusions, or exhibited severe/profound ISS may be more likely to receive IBL. IBL is not superior to either immediate AL or to no lines in terms of mortality. No lines had a significant effect on ICU LOS or hospital LOS, except in the setting of severe head injury.