Using a Retrospective Secondary Data Analysis to Identify Risk Factors for Pulmonary Complications in Trauma Patients in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Background: The trauma burden in South Africa is significant. The objective of this project was to investigate the incidence of posttrauma pulmonary complications (PPCs) and to identify patient, health risks, and hospital factors, which predispose trauma patients to develop PPCs hospital in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Methods: The design was a retrospective secondary data analysis of patients who presented as a trauma admission via the health systems' Hybrid Electronic Medical Registry.