Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Apr 2016
Comparative StudySurvival of Trauma Victims Transported by Helicopter Who Required Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Within the First Hour of Hospital Arrival.
The purpose of the study was to review the impact on survival of trauma victims who were transported via helicopter ambulance versus ground transportation and who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within 1 hour of hospital arrival. ⋯ Higher survival was seen in patients who were transported by helicopter ambulance and received CPR within 1 hour of hospital arrival.
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Southern medical journal · Apr 2016
Predictors of a Prolonged Length of Stay in Children with Perforated Appendicitis.
Little is known about the factors that affect the length of stay (LOS) of children hospitalized for perforated appendicitis. The objective of this study was to identify clinical and demographic factors associated with a prolonged LOS (PLOS) in children with perforated appendicitis. ⋯ Hispanic ethnicity was associated with a lower odds of PLOS, whereas children who required the services of an interventional radiologist were more likely to experience PLOS.
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Southern medical journal · Mar 2016
Impact of Evidence-Based Guidelines on Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients With Clostridium difficile Infection.
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the most common healthcare-associated infection in the United States. Clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of CDI were updated in 2010 by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. An institutional guideline for the classification and management of CDI in accordance with the 2010 Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America/Infectious Diseases Society of America guideline was developed and provided to attending physicians and medical residents in multiple formats. ⋯ Treatment with guideline-based therapy for CDI was associated with a trend toward a significantly lower LOS and cost. Barriers to physician adherence to guidelines still exist, despite education and guideline availability. Electronic health record-based order sets or clinical decision tools may improve recognition of and adherence to guidelines.
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Southern medical journal · Feb 2016
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Hispanic Adolescents in South Texas.
Despite a national crisis of increased prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adolescents, especially among Hispanics, there is a paucity of data on health indicators among farmworker adolescents and their peers. The main aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in a population of Hispanic adolescent students in south Texas. The study also aimed to compare the prevalence of these risk factors between students enrolled in the Migrant Education Program (MEP) and other students, and between boys and girls. ⋯ The high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in both groups suggests a compelling need for comprehensive, culturally targeted interventions to prevent future cardiovascular diseases in these high-risk Hispanic adolescents, especially among boys. There were not, however, substantial differences between MEP students and other students. These findings also support the feasibility of conducting future epidemiologic studies among adolescent farmworkers and their families, as well as culturally appropriate school or community-based interventions.