Scand J Trauma Resus
-
Scand J Trauma Resus · Aug 2017
Does the applied polytrauma definition notably influence outcome and patient population? - a retrospective analysis.
Although the term "polytrauma" has been in use for decades, no generally accepted definition exists. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that different polytrauma definitions applied to a specific patient population result in diverse subgroups of individuals, who in turn present a varying outcome. ⋯ Solely the Berlin definition resulted in a patient number reflecting clinical reality, thus enabling a transparent evaluation of treatment results provided by different institutions and allowing objective comparison of published studies.
-
Scand J Trauma Resus · Aug 2017
Daily volume of cases in emergency call centers: construction and validation of a predictive model.
Variations in the activity of emergency dispatch centers are an obstacle to the rationalization of resource allocation. Many explanatory factors are well known, available in advance and could predict the volume of emergency cases. Our objective was to develop and evaluate the performance of a predictive model of daily call center activity. ⋯ A large proportion of the variability of the medical emergency call center's case volume can be predicted using readily available covariates.
-
Scand J Trauma Resus · Aug 2017
Early post-traumatic seizures are associated with valproic acid plasma concentrations and UGT1A6/CYP2C9 genetic polymorphisms in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.
Seizure is a common complication for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Valproic acid (VPA) is a first-line antiepileptic drug, though its metabolism is affected by genetic polymorphisms and varies between individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate such association and to explore its influence on the occurrence of early post-traumatic seizure. ⋯ Continuous EEG monitoring is necessary to detect both convulsive and non-convulsive early post-traumatic seizures in severe TBI patients. UGT1A6/CYP2C9 polymorphisms have influence on VPA metabolism. UGT1A6_19T > G/541A > G/552A > C double heterozygositie is associated with occurrence of early post-traumatic seizures in addition to patients' age and gender. Further investigations with larger sample size are required to confirm the difference.
-
Scand J Trauma Resus · Aug 2017
Identifying pre-hospital factors associated with outcome for major trauma patients in a regional trauma network: an exploratory study.
Major trauma is often life threatening and the leading cause of death in the United Kingdom (UK) for adults aged less than 45 years old. This study aimed to identify pre-hospital factors associated with patient outcomes for major trauma within one Regional Trauma Network. ⋯ Findings lend further validity to GCS, Respiration Rate and Age as predictive triggers for transport to a Major Trauma Centre. Analysis of interactions between response times, skill mix and triage demand further exploration but tentatively support the 'Golden Hour' concept and suggest a potential 'load and go and play on the way' approach.
-
Scand J Trauma Resus · Aug 2017
Maintaining immobilisation devices on trauma patients during CT: a feasibility study.
To reduce the possibility of secondary deterioration of spinal injuries, it is desirable to maintain the spinal immobilisation that is applied in the prehospital setting throughout computed tomography (CT) scanning. A previous study found that metallic components within the inflation valve of the vacuum mattresses caused CT artefacts. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of vacuum mattresses with plastic valves on CT artefacts, the radiation dose, and noise compared to a trauma transfer board and the spine boards currently used in our trauma system. ⋯ Our results indicate that it is feasible to maintain some vacuum mattresses with plastic valves on trauma patients during CT scanning. The tested mattresses did not result in a considerably increased radiation dose or artefacts that hampered clinical judgement. One of the tested vacuum mattresses produced no artefacts that hampered clinical judgement whatsoever.