The Journal of surgical research
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Injury remains a leading cause of death worldwide with a disproportionate impact in the developing world. Capabilities for trauma care remain limited in these settings. We propose the implementation of the International Assessment of Capacity for Trauma (INTACT) index to provide a standardized way of assessing a health care facility's capacity to provide adequate trauma care. ⋯ The INTACT index is a simple tool designed to specifically assess trauma capacity from initial resuscitation to definitive care. Shortcomings in trauma capacity remain prominent and the INTACT index could be used to assess trauma care deficiencies in developing countries.
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Previous studies among cancer patients have demonstrated that religious patients receive more aggressive end-of-life (EOL) care. We sought to examine the effect of religious affiliation on EOL care in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. ⋯ Compared with nonaffiliated patients, religiously affiliated patients receive more aggressive EOL care in the ICU. However, this high-intensity care does not translate into any significant difference in survival.