Articles: mortality.
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Having local health data is critical to combat health disparities, and zip code-level data are an underutilized source of such information. We sought to use zip code-level mortality data to determine where health disparities existed in our local area. ⋯ Using zip code-level data provides an accurate foundation from which to design local interventions to address health disparities.
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We reviewed medical examiner, law enforcement, crime laboratory data, and death certificates on all 1,530 violent deaths (homicide, suicide, undetermined firearm) in Connecticut occurring from 2001-2004. There was an average of 383 deaths (rate = 11.2 deaths per 100,000 persons annually). Overall, males aged 20 to 29 were at the greatest risk of violent death (rate = 30.5/100,000). ⋯ Firearms were used in 33% of suicides and 58% of homicides. The rate of violent death is lower than most other states in the country. In Connecticut suicide is the leading cause of violent death overall; however, in areas characterized by the highest levels of poverty and lowest levels of education, homicide is the leading cause of violent death.
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The trauma registry of the German Society of Trauma Surgery is a multicentric prospective record of the treatment of severely injured patients. ⋯ The German Trauma Registry records processes and treatment results in severely injured patients. This information is fed back to participating hospitals. The continuous data feedback is associated with a continuous improvement of process and outcome quality in the treatment of severely injured patients.
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To improve the documentation of events surrounding medical emergency team (MET) calls and to audit the incidence of MET calls and subsequent patient outcomes. ⋯ Critical-care resource utilisation and inhospital mortality risk following a MET call at our institution is high. Three simple interventions improved the quality of medical documentation but did not significantly increase overall resource utilisation or improve patient outcomes.
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To gauge use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units, to investigate attitudes to and experience with ECMO, and to assess interest in contributing to a national database of ECMO use. ⋯ ECMO use in Australian and New Zealand ICUs is limited, but there is support for its use among survey respondents. Lack of training and experience with ECMO may be restricting its use.