Nationwide analysis of proximity of American College of Surgeons-verified and state-designated trauma centers to the nearest highway exit and associated prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities.

Background: Motor vehicle collisions remain a leading cause of trauma-related deaths. We aim to investigate the relationship between the proximity of trauma centers to the nearest highway exit and prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities at the county level nationwide.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study evaluating the association between the distance of trauma centers to the nearest highway exit and prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities between the years 2014 and 2019. Prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities were obtained from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Mapping software was used to determine the distance of trauma center to the nearest highway exit and transport time. Linear regression analysis was performed.

Results: A total of 2,019 American College of Surgeons-verified and/or state-designated trauma centers were included (211 Level 1, 356 Level 2, 491 Level 3, and 961 Level 4 trauma centers). Prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities were positively correlated with the distance of trauma center to the nearest highway exit for counties with trauma centers located ≤5 miles from the nearest highway exit (r = 0.328; P < .001). In the 612 counties with a 10% increase in prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities from 2014 to 2019, prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities were also positively correlated with distance to the nearest highway exit (r = 0.302; P < .001). The counties with more dispersed distributions of trauma centers were significantly associated with motor vehicle collision fatalities (Spearman's rank coefficient = 0.456; 95% confidence interval, 0.163-0.675; P = .003).

Conclusion: Shorter distances between trauma centers and the nearest highway exit are associated with fewer prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities for counties with trauma centers ≤5 miles of the nearest highway exit. Further enhancement of existing highway infrastructure and standardization of emergency medical services transport protocols are needed to address the burden of prehospital motor vehicle collision fatalities in the United States.