J Trauma
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Utah state trauma audit filters assess expeditious care at referring emergency departments for severely injured patients to avoid delays in transfer. We evaluated two state performance measures related to pediatric trauma care before arrival at the Level I trauma center. ⋯ There was substantial nonadherence with trauma performance measures for triage in <2 hours among pediatric trauma patients with ISS >15. Because of low rates of poor outcome, we are unable to determine whether adherence with state triage goals lessens morbidity or mortality.
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Arterial base deficit (ABD) measurement is a standard test for assessment of the trauma patient's metabolic response to shock. Venous blood is readily available earlier during the trauma resuscitation. The aim of this study is to analyze the difference (correlation, agreement, clinical significance) between the first peripheral venous base deficit (pVBD) and the first ABD during trauma resuscitation. ⋯ There is near perfect correlation and clinically acceptable agreement between pABD and pVBD values on simultaneous testing. pVBD is an acceptable test to assess trauma patients' initial metabolic status when occult blood loss suspected.
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Contralateral subdural effusion (SDE) is usually considered as an uncommon complication after decompressive craniectomy (DC) for head trauma. This complication may need more aggressive treatment because of its tendency to cause midline shift and neurologic deterioration. In this article, we present our experience with this group of patients and discuss the diagnosis and management of this entity. ⋯ Contralateral SDE may not be a rare complication after DC. Its diagnosis may be delayed or missed when it is asymptomatic or the clinical condition of the patient masks its clinical manifestations. It may be reasonable to repeat a computed tomography scan to detect contralateral SDE 2 weeks to 3 weeks after DC, irrespective of the clinical condition. In addition, posttraumatic hydrocephalus is a common late consequence in these patients. Close surveillance in these patients is indicated to prompt appropriate management.
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To assess whether repositioning of ambulance stations in a rural county of Alabama can improve emergency medical services (EMS) response time to motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) without adversely affecting response time to non-MVC-related emergencies. ⋯ Utilizing geographical information system software, EMS response time to MVCs could be improved in rural areas by optimal location of ambulance stations based on geographical highest concentration of MVCs and vicinity of major thoroughfares. This can be accomplished without adversely affecting response time to non-MVC-related emergencies.
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Studies from the United States report a large increase in the surgical treatment of distal radius fractures with open reduction and internal fixation using locked plates. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the same trend has occurred in a Scandinavian country by assessing the number, incidence, and surgical methods of all surgically treated distal radius fractures in Finland over a recent 11-year period. ⋯ A striking shift from external fixation to plating in the treatment of distal radius fractures has occurred in Finland over the past few years, despite the fact that the scientific literature does not support plating over external fixation. In addition, the incidence and number of surgeries for distal radius fractures doubled between 1998 and 2008. The reasons for these changes are not known.