Articles: trauma.
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Trauma is a major global cause of morbidity and mortality. Population-based studies identifying high-risk populations and regions may facilitate primary prevention and the development of optimal trauma systems. This study describes the epidemiology of adult trauma deaths in Norway and identifies high-risk areas by assessing different geographical measures of rurality. ⋯ Rural areas, as defined by population density, are at a higher risk of deaths following traumatic injuries and have higher proportions of prehospital deaths and deaths following transport-related injuries. The heterogeneous characteristics of trauma populations with respect to geography and mode of injury should be recognised in the planning of preventive strategies and in the organisation of trauma care.
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ABSTRACTIntroduction:Emergency medicine point-of-care ultrasonography (EM-PoCUS) is a core competency for residents in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and College of Family Physicians of Canada emergency medicine (EM) training programs. Although EM-PoCUS fellowships are currently offered in Canada, there is little consensus regarding what training should be included in a Canadian EM-PoCUS fellowship curriculum or how this contrasts with the training received in an EM residency. Objectives:To conduct a systematic needs assessment of major stakeholders to define the essential elements necessary for a Canadian EM-PoCUS fellowship training curriculum. ⋯ Eighty-seven percent of respondents indicated that there was a need for EM-PoCUS fellowships, with an ideal length of 6 months. Conclusion:This is the first needs assessment of major stakeholders in Canada to identify competencies for expert training in EM-PoCUS. The competencies should form the basis for EM-PoCUS fellowship programs in Canada.
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Iatrogenic dural tears are common complications encountered in spine surgery with known ramifications. There is little information, however, with respect to the implications and complications of traumatic dural tears. ⋯ Traumatic dural tears occurred in 11.6% of patients with operatively managed traumatic spine injuries at a regional Level 1 trauma center. In total, 83% had a neurologic injury and 49% had complete spinal cord injuries. Patients with traumatically induced dural tears have a low likelihood of developing a complication attributable to the dural tear.
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The Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine-which received its first Impact Factor in 2013-is extremely grateful for the time, hard work and support of its highly-qualified peer reviewers. The editors of the Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation and BioMed Central would like to show our appreciation by thanking the following people for their assistance reviewing manuscripts for the journal in 2013.
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Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are one of the major life-threatening infections in hospitals. They are responsible for prolonged hospital stays, high healthcare costs, and significant mortality. The epidemiology of BSIs varies between hospitals necessitating analysis of local trends. Few studies are available on trauma patients, who are predisposed due to the presence of multiple invasive devices. ⋯ Trauma patients had a high prevalence of BSIs. Since secondary bacteremia was more common, a targeted approach to prevention of individual infections would help in reducing the burden of BSIs.