The American surgeon
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The Stop the Bleed initiative empowers and trains citizens as immediate responders, to recognize and control severe hemorrhage. We sought to determine the retention of short-term knowledge and ability to apply a Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) in 10 nonmedical personnel. A standard "Stop the Bleed" (Bleeding Control) course was taught including CAT application. ⋯ The "Stop the Bleed" initiative teaches lifesaving skills to the public through a short training course. This information regarding the training of nonmedical personnel may assist in strengthening training efforts for the public. Further investigations are needed to characterize skill degradation and retention over time.
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The American surgeon · Oct 2018
Comparative Study Observational StudyTreatment Effect or Effective Treatment? Cardiac Compression Fraction and End-tidal Carbon Dioxide Are Higher in Patients Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta Compared with Resuscitative Thoracotomy and Open-Chest Cardiac Massage.
The purpose of this study is to compare end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂) during resuscitation of open-chest cardiac massage (OCCM) with aortic cross-clamp (ACC) versus receiving resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) with closed-chest compressions (CCCs). Patients who received REBOA were compared with patients receiving OCCM for traumatic arrest using continuous vital sign monitoring and videography. Thirty-three patients were enrolled in the REBOA group and 18 patients were enrolled in the OCCM group. ⋯ The rate of return of spontaneous circulation was higher in REBOA versus OCCM (20/33 [60.1%] vs 5/18 [33.3%]; P = 0.04), and REBOA patients survived to operative intervention more frequently (P = 0.038). REBOA patients had greater total cardiac compression fraction (CCF) before AO than OCCM (85.3 ± 12.7% vs 35.2 ± 18.6%, P < 0.0001) and after AO (88.3 ± 7.8% vs 71.9 ± 24.4%, P = 0.0052). REBOA patients have higher EtCO₂ and cardiac compression fraction before and after AO compared with patients who receive OCCM.
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The American surgeon · Oct 2018
Sustaining Improvement: Implementation and Spread of a Surgical Site Infection Bundle.
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are considered a quality metric across surgical specialties and are a major cause of increased readmissions and overall costs to surgical patients. Bundled interventions have demonstrated efficacy in reducing SSIs in various surgical fields, yet the ability to sustain and spread interventions while continuing to reduce infection rates is a significant challenge. This study assessed the implementation and sustainability of an SSI bundle, which was initially piloted within the colorectal surgery division and then spread to additional general surgery services. ⋯ O:E ratios showed similar reductions. SSI reductions were associated with process measure compliance. This study demonstrates that effective implementation within a single surgical division provides the foundation for spread of a SSI bundle, which results in continued and sustained reductions in SSI rates.
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The American surgeon · Sep 2018
Intercostal Nerve Blockade with Exparel® Results in Lower Opioid Usage during the First 24 Hours after Video-Assisted Thorascopic Surgery.
Liposomal bupivacaine (LipoB) provides prolonged local anesthetic effects and has seen usage in several fields of surgery. We review our experience using LipoB intraoperatively for intercostal nerve blocks after video-assisted throacoscopic surgery (VATS). A retrospective, single-center review was conducted for patients undergoing VATS from August 2012 to December 2014. ⋯ After the first 24 hours there was not a significant difference in opiate usage between the two groups. There was no difference in length of stay between the two groups. In our study group of VATS patients, an intercostal nerve block with LipoB significantly reduced the usage of postoperative opioids in the first 24 hours only when compared with standard bupivacaine.