J Trauma
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Comparative Study
Field triage of trauma patients based upon the ability to follow commands: a study in 29,573 injured patients.
If a trauma system is to deliver "the right patient to the right hospital at the right time," a simple triage tool that can be used in the field to rapidly identify patients with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality is vital. ⋯ The study demonstrated the GMR to be a good predictor of mortality in injured patients. Patients at risk of dying can best be identified by separating patients into those who cannot follow simple commands (GMR 1-5) from all others. This rapid and simple assessment could be useful as a prehospital tool to identify patients at risk of dying. First responders and nonmedical personnel not skilled in the use of the Trauma Score can easily determine if victims are able to follow commands and potentially identify the patients who are likely to require urgent trauma center care.
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This study assessed the performance of the trauma team leader in 50 consecutive trauma resuscitations at Liverpool Hospital over a two-month period. The trauma team consists of intensive care (ICU), emergency, and surgical registrars, three nurses, a wardsman, a radiographer, and a social worker. The team leader position alternates between the ICU and emergency registrar on a fortnightly roster. ⋯ Medical skills were uniformly well performed. Poor communication with other team members were the main pitfall of the team leader in this study. The team leader score may prove a useful tool in improving the quality of the trauma team.
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In a retrospective study of 459 patients undergoing mandatory explorative laparotomy for truncal stab wounds, 172 (37%) negative laparotomies were identified, divided in two groups: group I (n = 147) without, and group II (n = 25) with associated extra-abdominal injuries or surgical procedures other than laparotomy. One patient (0.6%) died of associated mediastinal vascular injuries. The overall postoperative morbidity rate was 21%, 17% in group I, and 44% in group II (p < 0.001). ⋯ In group I, the complications were not severe, prolonging the mean hospital stay by 4.6 days. It is concluded that mandatory laparotomy for truncal stab wounds leads to an unnecessary operation in about 40% of cases, with a 20% morbidity rate associated with the laparotomy itself. Although the complications are not severe, the results should be assessed against the safety and accuracy of the selective management of abdominal stab wounds.
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The quality and progress of treatment for 3406 multiple trauma patients was reviewed retrospectively. Two periods (1972 to 1981, the first decade, and 1982 to 1991, the second decade) were compared. Sixty-nine percent of patients with multiple trauma had cerebral injuries, 62% thoracic trauma, and 86% fractures (40% open fractures). ⋯ The mortality rate declined from 37% in the first decade to 22% in the second decade. The incidence of lethal multiple organ failure increased from 13.8% in the first decade to 18.6% in the second decade, whereas the mortality rate of ARDS decreased from 32.4% to 15.9%. Further reduction of incidents of death is only possible with causal therapy of posttraumatic organ failure immediately after injury.
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To determine the potential risks of the use of oral contrast medium for bowel opacification in abdominal trauma computed tomography (CT) scanning. ⋯ Bowel opacification is important for optimal CT evaluation of abdominal trauma and can be used with confidence. Attention to proper preparation and administration of the contrast material and, more importantly, control of the patient's airway by appropriate tracheal intubation are essential to assure the safety of the procedure.