The journal of trauma and acute care surgery
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Apr 2014
Review Comparative StudyA 26-year comparative review of United Kingdom helicopter emergency medical services crashes and serious incidents.
The use of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) has increased substantially in the United Kingdom since 1987. There are currently no data on the rate of crashes and serious incidents related to HEMS in the United Kingdom. The aims of this article were to present data from a 26-year period since the start of HEMS operations in the United Kingdom and to compare them with published data from Germany, Australia, and the United States. Factors identified as affecting the safety of HEMS operations will also be discussed. ⋯ Accidents and serious incidents relating to HEMS operations in the United Kingdom have been comprehensively identified for the first time, allowing an estimation of overall accident and fatal accident rates and comparison with other countries' HEMS operations. Data collection and analysis were hampered by obscurity of data sources and poor availability of data. In a time of increasing HEMS use in the United Kingdom, it is essential to be mindful of safety, and standardization of data collection will improve focus in this important area.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Apr 2014
ReviewPressure ulcers from spinal immobilization in trauma patients: a systematic review.
To protect the (possibly) injured spine, trauma patients are immobilized on backboard or vacuum mattress, with a cervical collar, lateral headblocks, and straps. Several studies identified pressure ulcer (PU) development from these devices. The aim of this literature study was to gain insight into the occurrence and development of PUs, the risk factors, and the possible interventions to prevent PUs related to spinal immobilization with devices in adult trauma patients. ⋯ Systematic review, level III.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Apr 2014
ReviewSystematic review of the benefits and harms of whole-body computed tomography in the early management of multitrauma patients: are we getting the whole picture?
There is considerable interest in whether routine whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) imaging produces different patient outcomes in blunt trauma patients when compared with selective imaging. This article aimed to systematically review the literature for all outcomes measured in comparing WBCT with selective imaging in trauma patients and to evaluate the comprehensiveness of relevant dimensions for this comparison. ⋯ Systematic review, level III.