A multi-state survey of videotaping practices for major trauma resuscitations

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and problems, b oth perceived and actual, associated with videotaping major trauma resuscit ations. A cross-sectional two-part survey of trauma centers was conducted. Part 1 determined demographic information and videotaping status. Part 2 as ked trauma centers that were not doing videotaping (NVTCs) about their plan s, past experience, and perceived problems. Videotaping trauma centers (VTC s) were asked about mechanics, responsibility, utilization! and problems. A total of 221 centers were surveyed; 20% VTCs, 70% NVTCs, and 10% NVTCs tha t had videotaped in the past (PVTC), Among VTCs, 53% reported problems with videotaping including lack of personnel (40%) and time (40%) to administer the program. Videotaping, however, was found to be an effective quality im provement tool in 95% of the VTCs, Of the NVTCs, 70% perceived problems wit h implementing a videotaping program; these included medicolegal(34%) and p atient confidentiality (22%) concerns. Of the PVTCs, 90% stated that they h ad problems with videotaping including lack of staff support (33%) and lack of personnel to assist with the program (24%). In conclusion, staff partic ipation and adequate personnel outweigh medicolegal concerns as actual vide otaping problems. Videotaping is perceived to be an effective performance i mprovement tool. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.