LAUSR

Objectives Previous studies demonstrate that higher volume pediatric trauma centers (PTCs) offer improved outcomes. This study evaluated pediatric trauma volume and outcomes at an existing level I (L-I) adult and level II (L-II) PTC after the addition of a new children's hospital L-II PTC within a 2-mile radius, hypothesizing no difference in mortality and complications. Methods A retrospective review of patients aged 14 years or younger presenting to a single adult L-I and L-II PTC was performed. Patients from 2015–2016 (PRE) were compared with patients from 2018–2019 (POST) for mortality and complications using bivariate analyses. Results Compared with the PRE cohort, there were less patients in the POST cohort (277 vs 373). Patients in the POST cohort had higher rates of insurance coverage (91.3% vs 78.8%, P < 0.001), self-transportation (7.2% vs 2.7%, P < 0.01), and hospital admission (72.6% and 46.1%, P < 0.001). There was no difference in all complications and mortality (all P > 0.05) between the 2 cohorts. Conclusions After opening a second L-II PTC within a 2-mile radius, there was an increase in the rate of admissions and self-transportation to the preexisting L-II PTC. Despite a nearly 26% decrease in pediatric trauma volume, there was no difference in length of stay, hospital complications, or mortality.