Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Jan 2020
Characteristics of Pediatric Patients With Retained Bullet Fragments and Need for Follow-Up Blood Lead Monitoring.
Multiple case reports of lead toxicity related to retained bullet fragments in pediatric patients sustaining gunshot wound have been published. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the demographic and clinical characteristics of gunshot wounds (GSWs) could be classified high/low risk and whether routine blood lead monitoring is necessary in these patients. ⋯ Pediatric GSW is common in male African Americans and these patients had baseline and follow-up lead levels below the reference level. These patients were difficult to follow up. Based on the available data, follow-up lead monitoring may not be indicated.
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Understanding the impact of poverty on health can inform efforts to target social programs and regional economic development. This study examined the effects of poverty on health among the 95 counties of Tennessee. ⋯ This study highlights the fact that lower income is associated with significantly worse health outcomes in Tennessee and reinforces the importance of economic development, specifically, and addresses the social determinants, more generally, in helping to improve Tennessee's overall health statistics.
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Southern medical journal · Jan 2020
Chest Radiography Should Be Requested Only on Admission Based on Clinical Grounds.
To determine the clinical utility and adverse consequences of routine admission chest x-ray (CXR) findings in patients with and without respiratory complaints and/or an abnormal chest examination. ⋯ Admission CXRs in patients without respiratory tract symptoms or findings are unwarranted except perhaps in older adult patients with comorbidities and an unclear admitting diagnosis.