J Trauma
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Comparative Study
Clot-inducing minerals versus plasma protein dressing for topical treatment of external bleeding in the presence of coagulopathy.
Previous studies identified WoundStat (WS, smectite) and Combat Gauze (CG, kaolin-coated gauze) as the most effective available agents for controlling arterial bleeding with potential utility in casualty care. Tissue sealant properties of WS suggested its potential advantage over clot-promoting CG for treating coagulopathic bleeding. This study compared the efficacy of CG and WS with a fibrinogen-based (FAST) dressing to control bleeding in coagulopathic animals. ⋯ The tissue sealant property of WS is apparently mediated by clot formation in the wound; therefore, it was ineffective under coagulopathic conditions. CG was partially effective in maintaining blood pressure up to 1 hour after application. FAST dressing showed the highest efficacy because of the exogenous delivery of concentrated fibrinogen and thrombin to the wound, which bypasses coagulopathy and secures hemostasis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Proper estimation of blood loss on scene of trauma: tool or tale?
Visually estimated amount of blood loss may influence decision making in the prehospital setting. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability and accuracy of paramedics and emergency physicians to visually estimate a volume of external blood loss and the influence of different vital signs. ⋯ With regard to all given amounts of blood loss, providing vital parameters suggesting instability (i.e., low blood pressure, high heart rate) led to a higher estimation of the lost blood volume in both paramedics and emergency physicians. However, estimations were influenced impressively by the given parameters. For both stable and unstable patients, small actual volumes were overestimated, whereas higher volumes tended to be underestimated. Neither occupational status (emergency physician or paramedic) nor gender or level of experience influenced accuracy of estimated blood loss significantly.
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To assess the depressant effects of alcohol on the level of consciousness of patients admitted with head injuries, this study examined the changes that occur in the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of traumatic brain injury patients over time. ⋯ This study concludes that the GCS increases significantly over time in alcohol intoxicated patients with traumatic brain injury.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Variable application and misapplication of cricoid pressure.
In 1961, Sellick described a three-finger technique of cricoid pressure used to prevent gastric regurgitation during induction of anesthesia. The "Sellick maneuver" is now used worldwide. The authors have observed great variability in the application of cricoid pressure by health care providers and have suspected that misapplication occurs. The objectives of this observational study were to determine how many different techniques of cricoid pressure were being used and to identify the reasons for such variability of technique. ⋯ This observational study demonstrates that there is great variability in the application of cricoid pressure, identifying 10 different techniques in 32 observations. Misapplication does occur with possible patient harm. We suggest four possible reasons for this variability of technique. The authors use the three-finger cricoid pressure technique as originally described by Sellick and thought that this technique is effective, easy to teach, and safely keeps the fingers in the midline of the cricoid cartilage.
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Occurrence on weekends or at night has been associated with poor outcomes for time-sensitive conditions including ST elevation myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiac arrest. We sought to determine whether the "weekend effect" exists for injured patients at our trauma center. ⋯ Differential mortality on off-hours is not seen at our Level I trauma center. Outcomes that are independent of time of day and day of week may be because of the explicit requirements for trauma centers to be fully staffed and operational at all times. There are implications for staffing and systems solutions for other time-sensitive disease including ST elevation myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiac arrest. Interventions may include the development of a categorization system based on emergency care capabilities, development of explicit staffing requirements, and requiring an emergency care-specific quality improvement program.