Comparison of Unhoused and Domiciled Patients Evaluated for Trauma in a Level II Trauma Center

INTRODUCTION: California has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the United States. Unhoused individuals often have complex medical and behavioral health disorders, frequently complicated by substance use disorders. They have a significant risk of sustaining traumatic injuries. This report compares unhoused and domiciled patients treated at our Northern California trauma center. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis of trauma patients we used data extracted from our institution's Trauma Quality Improvement Program Trauma Registry for January 1, 2019-April 22, 2022 and compared characteristics of unhoused and domiciled individuals. All unhoused patients in the registry were included in the analysis, as well as an equal number of domiciled patients who were randomly selected during the same time frame. We described and compared demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Of 8,529 patients in the registry, 181 (2.1%) were unhoused, and we selected 181 domiciled patients to compare. Unhoused patients were more likely male (83% vs. 61%, P < .001) and younger (48.8 ± 12.3 vs. 55. 8 ± 23.7 years, P