Injury
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Quality improvement activities in trauma systems are widely based on comparisons between trauma centers within the same system. Comparisons across different trauma systems may reveal further opportunities for quality improvement. ⋯ We observed important differences in the structural components and care processes in Québec and Victoria's trauma systems, which might explain some of the observed differences in patient outcomes. This study shows the potential value of international comparisons in trauma care and identifies possible opportunities for quality improvement.
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Protective devices such as seat belts and airbags have improved the safety of motor vehicle occupants, but limited data suggest they may be associated with increased blunt bowel (small bowel or colon) injuries (BI). Unfortunately, this risk is unquantified. ⋯ Seat belts and airbags are essential public health safety interventions and protect against death in motor vehicle-associated injuries. However, patients involved in MVCs with airbag deployment or while wearing a seat belt are at an increased risk of bowel injury requiring surgery compared to unrestrained patients, despite these events being relatively uncommon.
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To establish the incidence and nature of injuries seen in patients following mobility scooter incidents. ⋯ As the population ages, injury characteristics of those with both major and non-major trauma changes. Mobility scooter use is prevalent amongst older people, and we provided a detailed analysis of injuries sustained with their use across a national database. The length of stay and the inherent resource use, because of admission following mobility scooter trauma, is considerable. These injuries particularly affect the 'most elderly' and carry a considerable mortality burden.
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Trauma scoring systems were created to predict mortality and enhance triage capabilities. However, efficacy of scoring systems to predict mortality and accuracy of originally reported severity thresholds remains uncertain. A single-center, retrospective study was conducted at University of Virginia (UVA), an American College of Surgeons verified Level I trauma center. ⋯ At historic thresholds, no scoring system displayed adequate sensitivity to predict mortality, with values ranging from 73% for ISS to 80% for NISS. In conclusion, in the reported study cohort, TRISS was the best predictor of mortality while NISS was the best predictor of high acuity disposition. We also stress updating scoring system thresholds to achieve ideal sensitivity, and investigating how scoring systems derived to predict mortality perform when predicting indicators of morbidity such as disposition from the emergency department.
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It is well established that achieving optimal ratios of packed red blood cells (PRBC) to fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to platelet ratios during massive transfusion leads to improved outcomes but is difficult to accomplish. ⋯ The institution of whole blood, use of the trauma white board, and the addition of liquid plasma to our transfusion services have allowed us to approach a 1:1 transfusion ratio during the course of our massive transfusions.