Fatality rate from major trauma continues to decline

The Trauma National Clinical Network annual report for 2023/24 shows the lowest fatality rate for major trauma since the New Zealand trauma system was established in 2012. 

This work is led by Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand, partnering with Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission, the Accident Compensation Corporation, and Waka Kōtahi. 

Key achievements highlighted in the annual report include: 
•    A continued decline in the fatality rate from major trauma. In 2023/24, 172 New Zealanders died from major trauma, with a case fatality rate of 6.5 percent. This is the lowest rate since the New Zealand trauma system was established over 10 years ago. The fatality rate has decreased across all age groups, with a notable reduction in mortality in recent years for those aged 65-79 years. 
•    There has been progressive improvement in the standardised mortality ratio (SMR). The SMR expresses the actual number of deaths as a ratio of the predicted mortality based on modelling. The last three years have shown statistically significant reductions in actual mortality compared with expected for both Māori and New Zealand European/other populations.
•    Mortality from haemorrhage remains low. Haemorrhage is the primary cause of death in major trauma that is potentially preventable with optimal care processes. The proportion of deaths due to haemorrhage has continued to remain low since the introduction of the critical bleeding quality improvement programme in 2020 (4% in 23/24 vs 13% in 2020/21). (Find out more about the National critical haemorrhage project)

Ongoing work will be needed to sustain the promising improvements in mortality over time. Future work will also include reducing the time from injury to hospital, quality-of-life and improving trauma ‘survivorship’ – quality of life after surviving major trauma – for those affected by major trauma.

Read the Annual Trauma Report 2023/24 on the Health NZ website