The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · May 2013
Risk factors associated with venous thromboembolism in isolated blunt chest trauma.
Isolated chest trauma is not historically considered to be a major risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). After blunt chest trauma, VTE may be underappreciated because pain, immobility, and inadequate prophylaxis as a result of hemorrhage risk may all increase the risk of VTE. This investigation determines the predictors and rate of VTE after isolated blunt chest trauma. ⋯ The VTE rate in those with chest injury plus extrathoracic injury was not significantly different, 4.8 per cent (n = 56 of 1140, P = 0.58). Independent risk factors for VTE after isolated chest trauma were aortic injury (P < 0.01, odds ratio [OR], 47.7), mechanical ventilation (P < 0.01; OR, 6.8), more than seven rib fractures (P < 0.01; OR, 6.1), hemothorax (P < 0.05; OR, 3.9), hypercoagulable state (P < 0.05; OR, 6.3), and age older than 65 years (P < 0.05; OR, 1.03). Patients with the risk factors mentioned are at risk for VTE despite only having thoracic injury and might benefit from more aggressive surveillance and prophylaxis.
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Inpatient falls lead to an injury in 30 per cent of cases and serious injury in 5 per cent. Increasing staffing and implementing fall prevention programs can be expensive and require a significant use of resources. We hypothesized that trauma patients have unique risk factors to sustain a fall while hospitalized. ⋯ Inpatient falls in hospitalized trauma patients are uncommon. Risk factors include older age, male gender, blunt mechanism, lower Glasgow Coma Score, and the need for intensive care unit admission or mechanical ventilation. Trauma patients with these risk factors may require higher staffing ratios and should be enrolled in a formal fall prevention program.
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The American surgeon · May 2013
Biography Historical ArticleChevalier Jackson, M.D. (1865-1958): Il ne se repose jamais.