Predictive value of quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score in risk assessment and outcome prediction in blunt trauma patients: A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND: There is a plethora of trauma scoring systems currently in place. A lot of these scoring systems, however, are complex and thus have a limited utility in the emergency department. The present study was conducted to evaluate the relatively easy to calculate quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) Score in blunt trauma victims. We ought to study its utility in predicting outcomes in blunt trauma patients and its usefulness to guide resource allocation in the emergency department. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed on blunt trauma patients who had presented to the emergency department of our tertiary care center, over a period of 6 months. Their qSOFA scores were calculated and these patients were observed for their course in the hospital. The predictive validity of this score was then studied for the outcome prediction in these patients. RESULTS: A total of 246 patients were enrolled. Maximum 36.4% of patients had a qSOFA score of 0 and 10.1% were with a score of 3. Higher qSOFA scores were associated with higher in-hospital mortality, higher needs for an ICU admission, higher needs for mechanical ventilation. However, it did not reliably predict the need for an emergency surgery in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: qSOFA score serves as a reliable tool to predict adverse outcomes in blunt trauma victims. It helps with the quick allocation of resources in the emergency department.