The Journal of the Kentucky Medical Association
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The purpose of this study was to assess the completeness and accuracy of information from two electronic datasets, one of which is voluntarily submitted, the other submitted by mandate. ⋯ There is significant misclassification and/or omission in electronic databases. This is true regardless of whether data is reported voluntarily or by mandate. Electronic data must be independently validated before they are used for policy or research purposes.
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Motorcycle crashes are common occurrences in Kentucky, and often result in injury or death. The use of motorcycle helmets may improve injury outcomes. ⋯ Motorcycle drivers who did not wear helmets were more likely to incur a TBI (OR = 4.33, 95% CI: 2.60-7.20), severe head injuries (OR = 4.36, 95% CI: 2.58-7.37), and higher acute care hospital charges (beta = $26,618, 95% CI: $8670-$44,565). Kentucky's failure to require mandatory helmet use may increase incidence of TBI and severe head injuries among motorcyclists, and cost state government millions of dollars to pay for care for uninsured or Medicaid patients.
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Comparative Study
Spinal anesthesia: exploring some common surgical myths.
To evaluate and compare whether a difference exists between measurable factors such as heart rate, blood pressure, pulse, and anesthesia induction time in patients undergoing spinal versus general anesthesia. ⋯ The study found no significant differences in intra-operative patient vital signs when comparing patients under general anesthesia to those under spinal anesthesia. Additionally, although the literature states that spinal anesthesia takes longer if the patient is not prepared prior to the operating room being ready, this study found no significant delay in operation start times for general anesthesia versus spinal anesthesia.
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Infant Botulism (IB) is a relatively uncommon, though potentially life-threatening neuroparalytic illness caused by the toxins elaborated by Clostridium botulinum (C botulinum). We describe two cases of Infant Botulism. Both these infants presented with a sepsis-like picture and were unsuspectingly treated with the conventional antibiotics ampicillin and gentamicin. ⋯ We suggest that cefotaxime be carefully considered instead of gentamicin in the initial management of infants presenting with a sepsis-like clinical picture and associated history of constipation, recent onset of hypotonia, poor feeding and/or drooling. Clinical trials evaluating human Botulism Immune Globulin (BIG) are under way by the California Department of Health. This article comes at a very timely moment because once FDA approved, BIG will be the only specific treatment available for this illness.