Experience with a simplified trauma registry: profile of trauma at a university hospital.

A simplified computer-based trauma registry system with well-defined limits of data capture is presented. This registry was utilized to describe the profile of trauma at a university hospital. In 1 year there were 882 trauma victims hospitalized, with an overall mortality of 3.3%. The majority of the patients had relatively minor injuries, primarily involving soft tissue and bone. Severe multiple trauma was associated with a significant mortality. Intracranial or intra-abdominal injuries occurred in less than 10% of the patients. Transport accidents, falls, and assaults were the cause of injury in 70%. Key access to specific information about the trauma patient population demonstrated the potential of the registry system. The advantages and limitations of the registry are discussed.